China

From BBC Online: "China is the world's most populous country, with a continuous culture stretching back nearly 4,000 years. After stagnating for more than two decades under the rigid authoritarianism of early communist rule under Chairman Mao, China now has the world's fastest-growing economy and is undergoing what has been described as a second industrial revolution.

The rate of economic change hasn't been matched by political reform, with the Communist Party - the world's biggest political party - retaining its monopoly on power and maintaining strict control over the people. The authorities still crack down on any signs of opposition and send outspoken dissidents to labour camps.

Human rights campaigners continue to criticise China for executing hundreds of people every year and for failing to stop torture. The country is keen to stamp down on what it sees as dissent among its ethnic minorities, including Muslim Uighurs in the north-west. The authorities have targeted the Falun Gong spiritual movement, which they designate an "evil cult".

Chinese rule over Tibet is controversial. Human rights groups accuse the authorities of the systematic destruction of Tibetan Buddhist culture and the persecution of monks loyal to the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader. "
BBC, September 2006

Refugees**

• Refugees and asylum seekers: 143,415
• Number of internally displaced persons: Unknown
• Total: 143,415
• Number of asylum applications to the UK (June 05 - June 06): 1,910

Current situation

From Human Rights Watch: “Chinese lawyers who defend human rights and expose the absence of an independent judiciary are under increasing attack from state authorities. The central government must respond to the recent spate of harassment, detentions, and physical attacks on human rights lawyers.

Two of China’s most prominent lawyers are currently facing prosecutions that seem to be politically motivated. Beijing lawyer Gao Zhisheng, an outspoken advocate of the rights of victims of government violations and abuse of power, was detained on August 15 on charges of alleged involvement in criminal activities. In 2005, authorities stripped Gao of his right to practice law.

On August 18, the trial of another legal activist, Chen Guangcheng, turned into a mockery of justice when his lawyers were physically assaulted and then forcibly detained by Public Security to prevent them from attending.

China has seen a sharp upswing of protests over the past few years, especially in rural areas, some of which have been violently put down by security forces. Although China’s top leaders have acknowledged that many protests were fueled by local government abuses, and promised to enhance access to judicial remedies for aggrieved citizens, repressive tactics have continued unabated.”
Human Rights Watch, August 2006

From Amnesty International: “China's record on imprisoning citizens without charge, its treatment of human rights defenders and its respect of media freedoms are all deteriorating, despite promises from the Chinese government that it would make human rights improvements in advance of the Beijing Olympics, Amnesty International said in a new report today. The report finds that though China has made some progress in reforming the death penalty system, its record in other crucial human rights areas has gone downhill -- ironically, sometimes in the name of preparing for the Olympics.

Flagrant human rights abuses continue in China, and the appalling 're-education through labor' system seems to be flourishing in the run up to the 2008 Olympic Games," said Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International USA (AIUSA). "This is contrary to the Olympic Charter ideal and clearly negates the 'preservation of human dignity' that Beijing, as an Olympic host, has committed to uphold."
Amnesty International, September 2006

* Information taken from BBC's country profiles
** These figures were taken from UNHCR figures published June 2nd 2006 and Home Office figures June 2005 - June 2006