Last week, I, together with my Chinese history class and a group of Chinese students, were discussing the business opportunities in Shanghai. We, however, got sidetracked and began discussing China's human rights record.
I contended that China does not uphold human rights. I made reference to the Falun Gon, censorship on the internet, and summary executions of its citizens, to name a few.
The Chinese student, on the other hand, argued that China does respect human rights and it has improved on its human rights record.
I believe the statement made by the Chinese student is false. I suppose that if the Chinese government executes 3,000 people, instead of 4,000 is progress.
Also, many opponents of human rights claim that they are western based, and fail to be sympathetic to other cultures. This may be true, but the right to live, eat, to be clothed, to speak, should be guaranteed to all.
Sick post
What position are you in to say 'The statement made by the Chinese students is false'? At lease they have experienced everything in China themselves, isn't it?
Why China cannot execute 4000 people a year if they breached the law? Are you applying the law of your country in China?
And we do have the right to live, eat, to be clothed, to speak as you refered to. I've cursed Jiang Zemin in Tiananmen square(Privately though), during conversation with my friend and over internet aswell. Tell you what, I'm replying your post here safely warmly without feeling any hunger.
I agree with you completely. The human rights violations in China are horrible. The freedom of speech and religion are severely curtained. The crackdown on Falun Gong followers, pro-democracy activists and internet users is ridiculous.
Under China's administrative detention laws, police can send anybody to a “re-education through labor” camp for up to three years without trial. This policy has allowed hundreds of thousands of people to be detained in violation of their fundamental human rights. Trials are short, lack due process and are in violation of international standards. The death penalty along with torture and ill-treatment are frequent and wide spread.
This behavior is unacceptable. Chinese authorities finally released Jiang Yanyong, the doctor who exposed the truth about the SARS epidemic, but this was after 7 months of inhuman treatment and the man was a hero. China really needs to do something to improve its human rights record.
to raj040,
I am one of those thousands chinese students in UK. I am afraid too few chinese students know the truth, too few are keen to find out the truth but too keen to make money. I,m afraid that too a certain degree all we care about. it is sympathetic.it is the consequences of the mind control by the chinese government. sometimes I am really ashamed of some of my colleagues for their igorance.
I dont't know much about the human rights in
china. but one thing for sure is that the records are the poorest in the world.
china's human rights records won't undertake fundamental change unless china is becoming more democractic.
I live in Dalian and have done since Oct '04. I see good human rights in a practical way on the streets of Dalian. And also with my Chinese wife, her wide circle of Chinese friends, male and female, as well with the mimited circle of Chinese friends that I have.
Oh we don't indulge in wide ranging and facetious discussion about human rights, nor make over the top comments about the control practiced by all levels of govt in China, but I read about what is going on with main stream media in many "free" Western countries and I feel cynical about all the strident talk about "lack of human rights in China". Freedom of movement, freedom to live and socialize is very alive in Dalian.
The human rights situation isn't perfect, but perfection belongs to fiction and not real life. If you are lucky enough to be studying in the UK, study and observe before decrying your home country. Many reviewers in the West are already pointing out the obvious biases that Jung Chang plays to in Wild Swans, which I have read, and mostly in her latest bio of Mao. Sense of balance is the Taoist and sensible way. Use some of that in your future posts about China. BTW, do you plan to return?
My lecturer made the comment today that in some parts of China, if you get sick, you will die, that is the reality. If that doesn't reflect badly on the state of human rights in China I don't know what does.
It is almost unbelivable what is going on in modern China today. I try not to buy things made in China, because the I learnt that the Chinese Communsit government uses a lot of that money to persecute Falun Gong, a peaceful qigong practice which improves mind and body.
These Falun Gong practitioners are being detained simply because of their spiritual beliefs, and on top of that, because the Chinese government wants to keep all this secret to the rest of the world, they're spreading propaganda to the Chinese people that Falun Gong is a "cult". So many Chinese people are still unclear about what's going on.
Recent reports have shown that there have been cases of live organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners, especially because their organs are healthy as a result of practicing Falun Gong. Falun Gong is free and easy to learn, and is only banned by the government in China.
I agree that China does not uphold human rights. Hopefully we can let more people know what's going on, as the government is trying to hide it's recent atrocities - prior to the 2008 Olympics.
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Joined: 2003-05-24