Amnesty International and four other human rights organizations on Thursday criticized China’s new judicial guidelines targeting individuals advocating for Taiwan’s independence, labeling the guidelines “a blow for human rights protections.”
Amnesty International, in conjunction with the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network, The Rights Practice, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, and the Capital Punishment Justice Project, collectively condemned the guidelines. They argue that the directives contravene a range of fundamental rights as established under international human rights law, including the rights to life, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and fair trial.
“Our organizations are gravely concerned by the violations of human rights that are encouraged and would be carried out through the implementation of these guidelines. By explicitly criminalizing and demanding harsh punishments for peaceful acts that aim at advocating for Taiwan’s independence, the Chinese authorities are cracking down under the pretext of national security on the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly, and other human rights,” the groups stated in a joint statement.
Issued on June 21, 2024, by the Supreme People’s Court of China along with the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of State Security, and the Ministry of Justice, the guidelines outline severe penalties for acts that are deemed separatist, including peaceful advocacy for Taiwan’s independence. The document, entitled “Opinions on Punishing ‘Taiwan Independence’ Diehards for Conducting or Inciting Separatism in Accordance with Law,” stipulates that individuals convicted of secession may face harsher penalties, including the death penalty, especially if deemed to have colluded with foreign entities.
The scope of what constitutes secessionist activities is broad, encompassing actions such as establishing separatist organizations, promoting Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, and disseminating materials that contradict the Chinese government’s narrative in fields like education, culture, and media.
In response, Taiwan has raised its alert levels for nationals traveling to China, citing recent instances of arbitrary arrests and detentions. The Taiwanese government has also warned its citizens of potential risks and has expressed concerns about a likely increase in self-censorship among the approximately 150,000 Taiwanese residing in China.
The Chinese government defends the guidelines as necessary measures to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, critics argue these actions are part of a broader strategy to stifle dissent and control political expression beyond China’s borders.
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