China
The Chinese government is the world’s leading jailer of writers and public intellectuals. Writers, journalists, bloggers, and creative artists face censorship, harassment, imprisonment, and enforced disappearance because of their writing or creative expression.
The extensive crackdown on freedom of expression includes the crushing of civil and political rights in Hong Kong and attempts to erase the culture and language of Mongolians, Uyghurs, Tibetans, and other ethnic minorities living in China and its autonomous regions, elevating to potential crimes against humanity in Xinjiang.
What You Need to Know
More than 100 writers are currently behind bars on politicized charges in China. The majority were jailed for online expression that was critical of official policies or expressed pro-democracy viewpoints.
China’s technological and legal infrastructure enables the government to censor, monitor, and control all digital information that flows within, and into and out of the country, especially in autonomous regions.
The Chinese government has expanded its censorship apparatus overseas to try and limit expression about China beyond its borders, engaging in transnational repression against exiles and the diaspora.
News
Individual Cases
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Status: Imprisoned
Chow, an activist and lawyer, has faced significant legal challenges related to her pro-democracy activities. In June 2021, she was arrested after writing an article about the Tiananmen Square Massacre vigil, leading to a 15-month prison sentence in June 2023…
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Status: Imprisoned
Tibetan lyricist Khado Tsetan was detained in 2019 due to a song he wrote that praised the Dalai Lama along with singer Tsegao, after it circulated on social media. In July 2020, the Chinese government sentenced him to seven years…
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Status: Recorded Harassment
On September 26, 2019, Garrett, a photographer, author, and academic, was barred entry to Hong Kong for unspecified “immigration reasons” after having testified to the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China about protests in the territory. His case has since been…
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Status: Imprisoned
Dawut, whose academic research focuses on Uyghur folklore and Islamic sacred sites across Xinjiang, was reportedly last heard from in December 2017. She was tried in 2018 on “splittism” charges and convicted. She later appealed the court’s decision but the…
Reports & Research
Addressing Beijing’s assault on free expression and defending human rights standards globally is a key priority.
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“Save Our Mother Tongue”
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Writing on the Wall
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Made in Hollywood, Censored by Beijing
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Forbidden Feeds
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Splintered Speech
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Darkened Screen
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Censorship and Conscience
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Threatened Harbor
PEN America Experts
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Erika Nguyen
Erika Nguyen is a senior manager in the PEN/Barbey Freedom…