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: Released
A human rights lawyer and online activist, Baolong was detained in September 2020 for allegedly “leaking secrets” to foreign countries and for his online commentary. He was formally charged with “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” Authorities targeted him for discussing…
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Status: Detained
Siyit, the deputy editor-in-chief of the Uyghur-run Kashgar Publishing House, was detained during a sweep of arrests in 2018 for his involvement in publishing books deemed “problematic” by the Chinese government for their “improper” political content. Since his detention, his…
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Status: Imprisoned
Yang served six years in prison for protesting against corruption and censorship in 2013, where he was assaulted and denied medical care. After his conditional release in August 2019, he was detained again in January 2021 while en route to…
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Status: Imprisoned
Ablimit, one of Ilham Tohti’s students, was arrested from his home in 2014 for his involvement with the website Uyghurbiz, which promotes ethnic understanding between Uyghurs and Han Chinese. In a secret trial held by the Intermediate People’s Court of…
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…