Wise reactivated three bank accounts of HK activist-in-exile Finn Lau after they were suddenly closed citing “internal policies"; new developments arose in several cases of imprisoned human rights defenders; and more in the Weekly Brief: news.hrichina.org/p/hric-weekl...

HRIC Weekly Brief

This week, Wise reactivated three bank accounts of Hong Kong activist-in-exile Finn Lau after they were suddenly closed citing “internal policies"; several cases of imprisoned human rights defenders s...

news.hrichina.org

The son of Wuhan activist Zhang Yi, who was recently charged with “inciting separatism” for showing a photo of the Dalai Lama in Lhasa, spoke to HRIC about his and his father's story over the past 37 years. Read the full piece here: news.hrichina.org/p/a-separati...

A ‘Separatism’ Charge Sparked by a Photograph: the Story of Zhang Yi and His Son From 1989 to Today

Wuhan activist Zhang Yi has been charged with “inciting separatism” after showing a photograph of the Dalai Lama in Lhasa. For his son, Zhang Hongyuan, who lives in the Netherlands, this was not an un...

news.hrichina.org

This week: HRIC faced cyberattacks after last week's sanctions; imprisoned Zion Church pastor Wang Lin published a letter updating his supporters; and VulnCheck reported on Chinese routers which come pre-installed with a backdoor program in their firmware. news.hrichina.org/p/hric-weekl...

HRIC Weekly Brief

HRIC faces cyberattacks after being sanctioned by the Chinese government; imprisoned Zion Church pastor Wang Lin published a letter updating his supporters and pointing out the absurdity of the accusa...

news.hrichina.org

Human Rights in China (HRIC) strongly condemns the Chinese government’s decision to sanction our organization. Read our full statement here: news.hrichina.org/p/hric-sanct...

HRIC Sanctioned by Chinese Government—Official Statement

Human Rights in China (HRIC) strongly condemns the Chinese government’s decision to sanction our organization. This action is a blatant act of retaliation against entities working to ensure that inter...

news.hrichina.org

Two concerning new laws covering exit bans and "online violence" both criminalize overseas activities; a professor was reportedly prevented from speaking at a conference in Houston at the behest of Chinese government agents; and more in the Weekly Brief: news.hrichina.org/p/hric-weekl...

HRIC Weekly Brief

Two concerning new laws on exit bans and "online violence" extend the scope of their jurisdiction to include activities carried out outside China, raising fears of transnational repression. And, a pro...

news.hrichina.org

Human rights lawyer Wu Shaoping has been detained by ICE despite a pending asylum claim; seismologist Youlin Chen has been imprisoned in China since 2024; some U.S. sanctions on Hong Kong officials lapsed; and five more HK booksellers were arrested this week: news.hrichina.org/p/hric-weekl...

HRIC Weekly Brief

Chinese human rights lawyer Wu Shaoping was detained by ICE last week despite his pending asylum claim; Boston seismologist Youlin Chen has been imprisoned in China since 2024; some U.S. sanctions on ...

news.hrichina.org

In June's Digital Rights Report, we revisit China’s increasing restrictions on VPNs to examine how suppressing access to information leads to historical amnesia. Yet, June Fourth activities online were stronger in 2026 than prior years. Read more: news.hrichina.org/p/hric-digit...

HRIC Digital Rights Report: June 2026

In June, we revisit China’s increasing restrictions on VPNs to examine how suppressing access to information leads to historical amnesia. While the Great Firewall has been met with admirable resistanc...

news.hrichina.org

This week, Chinese dissidents detained in Thailand are at serious risk of imminent deportation to China; commemorations of Liu Xiaobo were held around the globe; and Chinese lawyers continue to face serious challenges 11 years after the 709 Crackdown. news.hrichina.org/p/hric-weekl...

HRIC Weekly Brief

Several Chinese dissidents detained in Thailand are at serious risk of imminent deportation to China; commemorations of Liu Xiaobo were held in cities around the globe; and Chinese lawyers continue to...

news.hrichina.org

On the 11th anniversary of the 709 Crackdown, Zhang Kai and Yu Kai have been selected as the 2026 recipients of the Chinese Human Rights Lawyers Award. Congratulations to both! Read our profiles of Zhang Kai and Yu Kai here: news.hrichina.org/p/2026-chine...

2026 Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Award Bestowed to Zhang Kai and Yu Kai

On the 11th anniversary of the 709 Crackdown on Chinese human rights lawyers and defenders, Zhang Kai and Yu Kai have been selected as the 2026 recipients of the Chinese Human Rights Lawyers Award.

news.hrichina.org

On the eve of the 11th anniversary of the 709 Crackdown, HRIC is pleased to publish a new report from Asian Lawyers Network on the rights of Chinese civil and commercial lawyers, as what was once a safe and stable career has become increasingly high-risk: news.hrichina.org/p/press-rele...

Press Release: Report on the Rights of Civil and Commercial Lawyers in China

On the eve of the eleventh anniversary of the “709” crackdown, Asian Lawyers Network (ALN) has released a new Report on the Rights and Conditions of Civil and Commercial Lawyers in China. The report f...

news.hrichina.org

Last week, Tibetan activist Lobga Rangzen self-immolated in front of the UN headquarters, calling for Tibetan independence and protesting China's Ethnic Unity Law. Also: security attacked protestors outside the NYC Chinese Consulate, and Pastor Ezra Jin is now free. news.hrichina.org/p/hric-weekl...

HRIC Weekly Brief

On July 2, Tibetan activist Lobga Rangzen lit himself on fire in front of the United Nations headquarters in New York, calling for Tibetan freedom and independence. He tragically passed away shortly a...

news.hrichina.org

Chinese dissident Dong Guangping reached Canada after fleeing by boat to South Korea; Hong Kong booksellers were arrested on suspicion of selling "seditious" books; and June 27 marked the 24th anniversary of the abduction of Wang Bingzhang: news.hrichina.org/p/hric-weekl...

HRIC Weekly Brief

Chinese dissident Dong Guangping has reached Canada after fleeing by boat to South Korea; the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit accusing Cisco Systems of helping China persecute Falun Gong practi...

news.hrichina.org

In a new ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court significantly restricted victims of human rights abuses' options for seeking accountability in the U.S. legal system under the Alien Tort Statute and the Torture Victim Protection Act. Read HRIC's analysis here: open.substack.com/pub/hrichina...

U.S. Supreme Court’s Cisco Ruling Narrows Human Rights Litigation Options

On June 23, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that federal courts may not hear human rights claims under the Alien Tort Statute (ATS), and that aiding-and-abetting claims are not actionable under the Tortu...

open.substack.com

HRIC has published a new report documenting the difficulties faced by Chinese lawyers from January-April, 2026, including administrative suppression, obstruction of client meetings, denial of the right to observe court proceedings, and more. Read here: open.substack.com/pub/hrichina...

Documenting Chinese Lawyers’ Rights and Interests: January-April 2026

This report covers the period from January 1 to April 30, 2026 and documents the multiple difficulties faced by Chinese lawyers in the course of their practice, including administrative suppression, o...

open.substack.com

This week: nine Zion Church members have been released on bail, but the remaining nine now face escalated charges; 8- and 10-year sentences were handed down for "shadow policing" in the UK; French authorities dismantled nine "overseas police stations"; and more. open.substack.com/pub/hrichina...

HRIC Weekly Brief

Nine members of Beijing's Zion Church have been released on bail, but the nine remaining, including founding pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, now face charges of “illegal business operations” and “fraud"; a fo...

open.substack.com

This month, HRIC's digital rights briefing covers new tools for government surveillance, data collection, and analysis; a UN report on China's surveillance state; AI-powered harassment of female activists; and much more. Read here: open.substack.com/pub/hrichina...

HRIC Digital Rights Report: May 2026

In May, new reporting emerged on tools being developed by Chinese private companies for government surveillance, data collection, and analysis, and even predicting future behavior. AI-powered harassme...

open.substack.com

A U.S. academic was arrested for "espionage" in Beijing this week while attending a conference; a University of Colorado PHD student went missing two years ago in China; the international community remembers the 2019 Hong Kong protest movement, and more: open.substack.com/pub/hrichina...

HRIC Weekly Brief

A U.S. academic was arrested for "espionage" in Beijing this week while attending a conference; a University of Colorado PHD student went missing two years ago in China; the international community re...

open.substack.com

HRIC is deeply concerned about the ongoing disappearance of internet censorship researcher Yiyan "Gaukas" Wang. We call on the Chinese authorities to immediately disclose his whereabouts and status, and to ensure his safety and fundamental rights. Read more: open.substack.com/pub/hrichina...

Internet Freedom Researcher Yiyan "Gaukas" Wang Disappeared in China Two Years Ago

Human Rights in China (HRIC) is deeply concerned about the ongoing disappearance of internet censorship researcher Yiyan Wang (also known as Gaukas Wang) and calls on the Chinese government to immedia...

open.substack.com

UK-based activist Apple Peiqing Ni received a barrage of deepfake harassment on X after posting about Tiananmen Massacre commemoration. Police told her to file a report with X, but X refused to remove the posts, despite their rule against malicious targeting: www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Chinese activist in UK told by X that abusive deepfakes do not breach rules

Apple Peiqing Ni targeted by account portraying her as promiscuous drug addict after posting about Tiananmen Square

theguardian.com

Last week, the 37th anniversary of the June Fourth Tiananmen Massacre was marked by commemoration activities and censorship from the CCP authorities. In Chongqing, anger over an animal cruelty case escalated into public gatherings and protests. Read more: open.substack.com/pub/hrichina...

HRIC Weekly Brief

Last week, the 37th anniversary of the June Fourth Tiananmen Massacre was met by commemoration activities, statements, and continued repression and censorship from the CCP authorities. In Chongqing, p...

open.substack.com

Civil society around the world came together this week to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Massacre; the June Fourth Museum in LA was vandalized; Chow Hang-tung went on 37-hour hunger strike; China expelled a NYT journalist; and more: open.substack.com/pub/hrichina...

HRIC Weekly Brief

Civil society around the world came together this week to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Massacre; the June Fourth Museum in LA was vandalized; China expelled a NYT journalist; and ...

open.substack.com

HRIC's Zhou Fengsuo spoke in Toronto to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Massacre: "June Fourth belongs not only to the past, but to today—to every political prisoner, to every journalist who refuses to be silent, to everyone who speaks the truth." open.substack.com/pub/hrichina...

HRIC Executive Director Speaks at Toronto Commemoration of the 37th Anniversary of June Fourth

On May 30, in Toronto, HRIC Executive Director Zhou Fengsuo spoke at an event commemorating the 37th anniversary of the June Fourth Tiananmen Massacre. "June Fourth belongs not only to the past, but t...

open.substack.com

In June 1989, only a few days after June Fourth, the residents of Wrocław, Poland, built a memorial to the victims of the Tiananmen Massacre. Investigating this memorial uncovered a story of solidarity and freedom. Read the full story here: open.substack.com/pub/hrichina...

A Polish Memorial of the Tiananmen Massacre

In June 1989, only a few days after June Fourth, the residents of Wrocław, Poland, built a memorial to the victims of the Tiananmen Massacre. Investigating this memorial uncovered a story of solidarit...

open.substack.com

The Tiananmen Mothers have released a statement on the 37th anniversary of the June Fourth Tiananmen Massacre, commemorating the victims and urging the Chinese government to "accept their responsibility to history and resolve this injustice." Read here: open.substack.com/pub/hrichina...

Commemoration of the 37th Anniversary of the 1989 June Fourth Massacre

On the 37th anniversary of the June Fourth Massacre, the Tiananmen Mothers have issued a commemorative statement, calling for justice on behalf of the victims and families of those harmed.

open.substack.com

Human rights defender Dong Guangping fled China by inflatable boat to South Korea; China has imposed travel restrictions on top AI talent; closing arguments began for Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan in Hong Kong; and more in the Weekly Brief: open.substack.com/pub/hrichina...

HRIC Weekly Brief

Human rights defender Dong Guangping fled China by boat to South Korea; China has imposed travel restrictions on top AI talent; closing arguments began for Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan; and more.

open.substack.com

A new leak exposed a surveillance platform used to track foreign nationals in China; a UN expert report calls China an extreme case of surveillance ubiquity; a man who ran a "secret police station" in New York was convicted; and much more in this week's Brief: open.substack.com/pub/hrichina...

HK activist Zhang Xinyan has been arrested in Thailand and is in danger of extradition; rights groups push Trump to bring up human rights in his meeting with Xi; Lu Jianwang faces charges in Brooklyn over running an overseas police station; and more: open.substack.com/pub/hrichina...

HRIC Weekly Brief

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Zhang Xinyan has been arrested in Thailand and is in danger of extradition; rights groups push Trump to bring up human rights in his meeting with Xi; Lu Jianwang faces...

open.substack.com

RightsCon was canceled abruptly last week due to Chinese government pressure; a new report on press freedom ranked China and Hong Kong near the bottom of the list worldwide; Japan-based professor Yuan Keqin was reportedly released after 7 years; and more: open.substack.com/pub/hrichina...

HRIC Weekly Brief

RightsCon was canceled abruptly last week due to Chinese government pressure; a new press freedom report ranks China and Hong Kong near the bottom of the list worldwide; Japan-based professor Yuan Keq...

open.substack.com

Cheng Fangwei secretly sentenced to 6 years in prison in China after participating in protests at the University of Sydney; VPN tool “Kuai Lian” announced cessation of operations in mainland China; a UK museum removed maps due to China pressure; and more: open.substack.com/pub/hrichina...

HRIC Weekly Brief

Chinese student Cheng Fangwei from the University of Sydney in Australia disappeared after returning to China at the end of 2024. Cheng had participated in pro-democracy protests in Sydney, including ...

open.substack.com

This week, advocates faced harsh and unjust legal penalties for engaging in protected speech: courts in Changsha and Hong Kong handed down jail time over social media posts, while Kazakhstan convicted 19 activists for protesting Beijing’s crackdown in Xinjiang. open.substack.com/pub/hrichina...

HRIC Weekly Brief

This week, rights advocates faced harsh and unjust legal penalties for engaging in protected speech and peaceful protest. Two cases in particular exemplify the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities’ paral...

open.substack.com