Human rights organizations criticize China’s guidelines targeting Taiwan independence supporters – JURIST

Amnesty International and four other human rights organizations criticized China’s new judicial guidelines targeting Taiwan independence advocates on Thursday, calling the guidelines “a blow to human rights protection”.

Amnesty International, Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network, The Rights Practice, World Coalition Against the Death Penalty and the Capital Punishment Justice Project jointly condemned the guidelines, saying the directives encourage violations of international human rights standards. The organizations specifically argued that the directives violate the rights to life, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and due process as set out in international human rights law.

Rights groups stated:

Our organizations are deeply concerned about the human rights violations that are being encouraged and would be realized through the implementation of these guidelines. By explicitly criminalizing and demanding harsh punishments for peaceful acts aimed at advocating for Taiwan independence, the Chinese authorities are suppressing the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and other human rights under the pretext of national security.

The guidelines were issued on June 21, 2024 by the Supreme People’s Court of China in collaboration with the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of State Security and the Ministry of Justice. The document, titled “Opinions on Punishing ‘Taiwan Independence’ Adherents for Conduct or Incitement to Separatism According to Law,” outlines severe penalties for acts deemed separatist, including peaceful acts advocating for Taiwan independence.

The directives state that those found guilty of colliding with foreign entities or committing acts of secession may face harsher punishments, including death, if the offenses are considered particularly serious. The directives also expand the scope of what constitutes secessionist activities to include actions such as establishing separatist organizations, promoting Taiwan’s entry into international organizations, and deviating from the Chinese narrative in areas such as education, culture, and the media.

Taiwan responded by raising the alert level for its citizens traveling to China, citing recent cases of arbitrary arrests and detentions. The Taiwanese government has also warned its citizens of potential risks and likely increased self-censorship among the approximately 150,000 Taiwanese living in China.

The Chinese government has defended the guidelines as necessary measures to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, critics have argued that these actions are part of a broader strategy to stifle dissent and control political expression beyond China’s borders.