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Charter 08 Calling for Democracy in China
Vision and Motivation ÃÌ´¿YÁÀÌ] Having witnessed the political liberalization that Mikhail Gorbachev yYÁY { į ÖZÌ Z] ÕZ§ Ã|ÅZ» Z] undertook in the Soviet Union in the late ÕÁ ÌÅZ¼m {ZveY { Õ{ÔÌ» {ZfÅ ÄÅ{ 1980s, many Chinese were hoping for Ã|»M{YmYĸu»Ä]¦qZ]³¶WZzÌ»Âe similar reforms at home. After the Soviet Ä]į|¿{Zf§Y°§¾ËYÄ]ZÅÖÀÌqYÕZÌ],{Â] Union collapsed with the fall of the ¶¼ Ä»Zm {Ây ¯ { ½M Ì¿ ÖeZuÔY Berlin Wall in 1989, the Chinese became µZ^»Y¿ÃZ»{¾Ì·]YÂË{ÖZaÁ§Z] |À¿ZÂb] even more eager for change. When the ÕËÁ§ Ä]Zj» Ä] į Õ{Y|ËÁ ,Õ{ÔÌ» Communist leadership in Beijing failed to deliver any reforms, over 100,000 Chinese «ÁÄ]ZÅÖÀÌq|Ì»Y,{Â]ÕÁÂ{ZveYÕÂeYb»Y citizens gathered in protest at Tiananmen Z],{Ây¯{¾Ë{ZÌÀ]Á¥ÕZÅֿ³³{ Square in 1989, in what became known ÄWYY¹|Öa{ |ÕÌ´Ìa¦Z»ÕYÃÌ´¿Y as the June 4th Incident. After being ÕÂY|¿{Â]Zf¿Y{ZÅÖÀÌqįÖeZuÔY repressively silenced by the regime's YÅ|YÌ],¯¾ËYd̿¼¯Õ^Å military power, the Chinese opposition {¾»½M½ZÌe½Y|Ì»{ÖËZ¼Å{³Z]½ZÌÀÌqY¨¿ VSHQW D VLJQL¿FDQW SRUWLRQ RI WKH V º£YÕ{Y|ËÁ,¾WÁ{,¾ÌqdzfËZa and 2000s developing new strategies through which to address their grievances Ã|¥Á »¾WÁ¹ZÆqÄ «YÁÄ]į|¿{ to the state and organize for democratic ¹Z¿Ä¯½MYaÁ{Y|ËÁ¾ËYÖa{ dY change. ÖfÌÀ»Y Á Ö»Z¿ ÕZÅÁÌ¿ Ä] Z°eY Z] ¾Ìq ÖZÌ Understanding that they need not be ¶Âf» cZZ¼fmY ¾ËY ½{¯ »Zy Ä] {Ây ]©Â¬uÁÖY¯Â»{ ZÅÄ]ne www.tavaana.org limited by their Marxist philosophies, ÕZÅÄÅ{ Y ÕYÃ|¼ z] ÖÀÌq ½Z¨·Zz» ,| members of the Tiananmen protests \ZÀ»ÕZÅ{^ÅY¾f§ZËÄ]YÕ{ÔÌ»Á reframed their idea of democracy in a post- Cold War world. In the spring of 2008, ¾ËY ÖZÌ ¹Z¿ Ä] {Ây YfY ¹ÔY ÕY] Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo, alongside ÖÅ|¿Z»ZÁÂnfmÄ]ÁÃ{Y{ZfyY¯ fellow Chinese opposition members, |ÀfyY{a®ÌeY¯Â»{ֿ³³{ÕZÅZ°ÅY began working on a political document ¾Ìe ½Y|Ì» ÖYfY ÕZÅÖËZ¼Å{³ ½Y^Å modeled after the Czech Charter 77, a ºÌ¯Z» Õ¿ ÕZÅÖfZ¯ { Z] ,¾» ½M declaration by Vaclav Havel and the Czech Y ½Z¿M ÕY] ZÅÄË¿ Ŀ´ÀËY į ÖËZÅZÀ´Àe Á opposition that called on the Communist ÕZZ]Ä],{¯Ö»{ZnËYÖZÌÁÕ°§ÃZ³|Ë{ government to accept all prior United Nations human rights conventions. Like ÁÕÓZ¹{»Z]Ä]Y{{ÂyÕ¿ÕZÅ\·Z« the original Charter 77, whose signatories |ÀfZy]{²ÀmYaÖ¿ZÆm¾Ë¿f]{ included an array of civil society µZZÆ]{į{Â]Õ|ÀËM§¾ÌÀqÈ»Y{Y{ members, the authors behind Charter µZ § ,Ä·Z °¨ÀÁ , Â^ËY³ ÂÌ· ,Õ{ÔÌ» 08 demand that the regime ratify the |·Âf»Á¾Ìqº¸«¶¬f»¾¼n¿YÂÁ]©Â¬u United Nations International Convention ,{Ây½Y°¨¼ÅYÖÅÁ³ÃY¼ÅÄ],µZ on Civil and Political Rights. 1 Going ºÆ¸»Ä¯{ÕÂÀ»¾ËÁ|eÁÄÌÆeZ¯Ä]d{ above and beyond Charter 77’s mission, Charter 08 does want to work within the ÃZ»{į©Â§ÂÀ» {Â]®qÂÀ»Y boundaries of the Chinese Constitution in ª¸yÖfÌ·ZËÂÕÂƼm{,µZÄË¿Y RUGHUWRIDFLOLWDWHDQXPEHURIVLJQL¿FDQW ,Ã|ÀË¿ , µÁZÅ ÁÔYÁ Õ Y Ö¯Y¸°q reforms. YÖÅÁ³Á¯¾ËY°¨ÀÁÁÖZ̵Z § On December 10, 2008, on the 60th {Â]ÕZ°f]Y,{Â]Ã|»M{ËveÄfÄ]ÁY½YZË anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Ä]Y{,®q]©Â¬u½Y´À¯Ä¯,Ö¿|» Human Rights, a coalition of 300 prominent ½MÖa{,Z°Ë»M{ ÕÓZ¹{»Ö¸»{ZÌÀ]Z] Chinese citizens published the Charter 08 manifesto in response to the Chinese ÕÂƼmd̿¼¯½Z¼¯ZuYÂÀ»¾ËY |¿{Â] government’s human rights violations, Ö»Z¼eÄ]ZedYÂyÖ»½Z»½M{Ö¯Y¸°q calling for multiparty democracy, a free ©Â¬uÖ¸¸¼·Y¾Ì]cY|ÅZ »Ä̸¯{k|À»¾ËY» press, and an independent judiciary in ÄÀÌ»¾ËY{|vf»¶¸»½Z»ZcZ]»Á] China. 2 į,Ä]¥Á »ÄÌ·ÁYÂÀ»|À¿Z¼Å |ÀÆ¿½{³ LZ»YÄ]®qÖ¿|»½Y´À¯YÕZÌ]¥Y Goals and Objectives ½ZÅYÂy, ÂÀ»Z˽MÖÀÌqµ{Z »,{Â]Ã|Ì Charter 08 was a bold call for political and economic reform by Chinese ¯d̿¼¯¹Z¿Ö¼cZ»Z¬»Ä¯{Â]½M dissidents, many of whom had been ©Â¬uÖ¸¸¼·Y¾Ì]©ZjÌ»\ËÂeÁµÂ^«Ä]Y{Ây imprisoned after the 1989 Tiananmen ÂÀ»,µZu¾ËYZ] {ZY{YÁ, ÖZÌÁÖ¿|» www.tavaana.org ¾Ìq{ÖY¯Â»{ÕY]Ö¿YÂyY§-ÂÀ»
Square massacre. The authors strategically dY{½M]Ôe,®qµ{Z »¥Ôy],ÖÀÌq timed their announcement of the document [ÂqZÆqÄ]Y{ÂyÕZÅdYÂyÁZÅdÌ·Z §Ze on the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in December ÃY|¿YÂf]ZeÄfyZ{Á|v»Â¯½MÖZY½Â¿Z« 2008. It was a time of great anticipation for {ZY¼žÌq{Y{ÖÀ »cZuÔYÕY]Y political change in China, coinciding with µZ ^»Z{ ÃZ» ºÅ{ { ,¹Zn¿Y other important anniversaries such as the ÄÌ»ÔY {´·Z ¾Ì¼f Z] ½Z»¼Å Á Õ{ÔÌ» 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square |¿ÁÆY\¯»Ö§ÔfWY,]©Â¬uÖ¿ZÆm protest on June 4, the 50th anniversary of ©Â¬u¾ËY»½|µZ¼ËZaÄ]xZa{,ÖÀÌq¹ZÀ] the exile of the Dalai Lama on March 10, ÖaÕZÅÁZneÄ]YfY{Á¯½M{] and the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on fÀ»YÖÀf»,ÄÀÌ»¾ËY{½Y³d»Â°uÖa{ October 1. 3 Ö{ÁÃ|¥Á »ÂÀ»Ä]į|ÀÀ¯Ö» The overarching goal of the movement ÕZÅÄ¿Z ,Ö]u|Àq ¹Z¿ ÕY«] ½ZÅYÂy ½M is to secure constitutional amendments |¿{³Ö»¾Ìq{ÄÌWZ«Ã«µÔ¬fYÁ{YM that guarantee universal human rights, basic freedoms, and a more democratic |Z¬»Á¥Y|ÅY and accountable government in China. As the Charter states, “Guaranteeing human įdÌ «YÁ¾ËYÄ]ÄmÂeZ]ÃËÁÄ],ÂÀ» rights is both the most important objective {,{¾ÌqÖZ̹Z¿½Z¨·Zz»YÕZÌ] of a government and the foundation of d{YY{Ây½Zm¾»½M¾Ìe½Y|Ì»Zf¯Ö the legitimacy of its public authority; Y{Â]ÕYÄ¿Z¯Z]Ö]dYÂy{Á¹Z³,|¿{Â]Ã{Y{ it is also the intrinsic requirement of ¾f§ZË d{ ÕY] ½Z¿M ÃY ½Z³|ÀÅ{Ä»Y{Y Õ WKH SROLF\ RI µSXWWLQJ SHRSOH ¿UVW¶´ The Charter calls for separation of xËZe Õ{Zf«YÁÖZÌY{ÄÀ»Y{cZuÔYÄ] powers, legislative democracy, judicial ÖnÀÄf°¿Ád̼ÅYYÖ·ZyÌ¿ÂÀ»¾ËYZf¿Y independence, elections for government Ö¿Z»¼ÅÄ°ÀËYÄ]º¸Z]½M½Z³|ÀÀ¯¾ËÁ|e dÌ¿ positions, and civic education in the Á ] ©Â¬u Ö¿ZÆm ÄÌ»ÔY {´·Z ¾Ì¼f 4 country. ¹ZÆq { ,¾» ½M ¾Ìe Zf¯ Á·Z ¾Ì¼fÌ] Two of the Charter's demands deal |Ì ^e{´·Z¾Ì¼ÅZnÀaZ],®ËY¾WÁÃZ» PRUHVSHFL¿FDOO\ZLWKPDWWHUVUHODWLQJWR the Tiananmen Square massacre, though ºÅ{ { Öf^e½ZÌWY{Â] Ö^Å~» ^Å,Z»Ó ÖËÓY{ there is no direct reference to the 1989 ÕÂƼm ÖËZa] Á·Z ¾Ì¼f Á Z» ÃZ» crackdown on human rights. The more ,´Ë{ÕÂY,µZ½M^f¯Yº°Ë{¾Ìqª¸y immediate demand calls on the state to ÕZÅֿ³³{ÕY]YÖ^ZÀ»dÌ «Â»Zed§Ö» provide compensation to individuals, ÃZ»,{ÁMºÅY§Â¯¾ËY{ÖZÌY{ÖÀ » as well as their families, who suffered {,{ÂyÂÀ»Zf¿YÕY]YµZ^»Z{ political persecution; release all political |¿{Y{Y«¥|Å,Õ{^ÅYּ̼eÁ[Zzf¿Y ]©Â¬uÁÖY¯Â»{ ZÅÄ]ne www.tavaana.org prisoners and prisoners of conscience; , ÂÀ» Y h ^À» ^Àm Ö¸¯ ¥|Å and establish a Commission for Truth dËZ]ÖÀ^»ÖZY½Â¿Z«ÕZÅÄÌ«Zv·Y¾Ì¼e ,QYHVWLJDWLRQ WR ¿QG RXW WKH WUXWK DERXW historical events, determine responsibility, Á ¾Ë{ZÌÀ] ÕZÅÕ{YM Á ] ©Â¬u ¾ËY» and uphold justice. 5 The Charter also calls dY ¾Ìq { ´zZa Á ÓZ¹{» Öf»Â°u for increased state control of armed forces ¾Ì¼e ,dYÃ|»M¯~»ÂÀ»{į½ZÀr¼Å and political neutrality of all military and Yd»Â°u®Ë¥Y|ÅYºÅYZÆÀeÄ¿,]©Â¬u police members. 6 Y|f«YdÌÁ» ZYÁÄËZaį|Å{Ö»¶Ì°e 'HPDQGV IRU HFRQRPLF ¿VFDO DQG ,Äf~³¾ËYY-{ÁÖ»Z¼Ä]Ì¿½Mֻ¼ environmental reform were also included dZÌÕÂÅZ»ÖËZÅÄfËZ]Y]©Â¬u¾Ì¼e in the Charter. Some demands were more civic-minded, such as the call to establish dË·ÁY½MÕZÀ^»]įÖfZÌ,dY ¹{»µÁY a social security system, taxpayers' rights, ]d»Â°uÕÂYÖ»Y|«YÅ{ÁZ¯Å{ protection of the ecological environment, ,¾ÌÀr¼Å dYÃ|ZÀ]¹{»§ZÀ»Á©Â¬uÄËZa and promotion of sustainable development. ÖÀf^»ÕÓZ¹{»,Y«ºÌ¬e½ZÅYÂyÂÀ» At the same time, the Charter’s authors ÕY] cZ]Zzf¿Y ,ÄÌWZ« ë µÔ¬fY ,½Â¿Z« ] called for a complete economic |¯{Öf»Â°uÕZÅd¼À˳ overhaul to move toward a free market Ä] ּ̬f» ÃZY Ŀ³pÌÅ Ä°ÀËY {ÂmÁ Z] economy. 7 ¾ËY{½M¾Ì¿Ây[¯Á¾WÁËZ«Á Leadership ,½M{k|À»µÂYY¶YÁ{,{Â]Ã|¿ÂÀ» Though the Charter 08 Group has µZ¼ËZaZ]Ä]Y{ÖËZÅdYÂyÄ]ZyÂÄ] not released the names of the document's ºÌ»e {Â]¾»½M½ZÌe{Y|ËÁÁ]©Â¬u½| authors (possibly both in the spirit {ZÆ¿MÕZÅÃ{Y¿ZyÁ¦¸fz»{Y§YįÖËZŽZË of it being a large-scale civil society d·Á{ÕÂYÖZÌÕZÅ[¯Á\̬ eÖa movement and for the protection of the ¾ËY{į{Â]ÖfYÂy¾Ëe¶mZ,|¿{Â]Ã|Ë{ signatories), Liu Xiaobo, a university professor and human rights activist, is ,¾ËY]ÃÁÔ {Â]Ã|k{ÂÀ»{Ä]Y popularly speculated to be a leading Zy Ä] į Ö¿Z¯ Á ÖZÌ ½ZÌ¿Y|¿ Õ{YM author. Liu has a two decade-long history ½ÂÌ̼¯ÖËZa]-|¿{Â]Ã|¹Â°v»{Ây|ËZ¬ of peaceful yet active dissent against ÕZÅ{Y|ËÁ { ªËZ¬u ¾f§ZË ÕY] Ö]ZËd¬Ì¬u the Chinese government's violations Y ,d·Y| ÕYmY Á ZÅdÌ·ÂX» ¾ÌÌ e ,ÖzËZe of its citizens’ rights. After teaching ½YÂÀÂÀ»{į{Â]ÖËZÅdYÂy{ĸ¼m abroad at universities in both the į{Â]½M½ZÅYÂy¾ÌÀr¼Å,ÂÀ»¾ËY {Â]Ã| United States and Europe, Xiaobo returned to China to join in the 1989 YmYÄ]Ö»Z¿ÕZÅÁÌ¿]ÕfÌ]Öf·Á{cZ¿ democracy movement. During the 1989 ÕZÅÁÌ¿½ZÀ¯Z¯ÖZÌÖ§Ö]ÁÃ|ÄfY~³ Tiananmen Square protests, he launched a {{³¾Ì¼eÌ¿ÖfÌÀ»YÁÖ»Zf¿Y www.tavaana.org ¾Ìq{ÖY¯Â»{ÕY]Ö¿YÂyY§-ÂÀ» hunger strike in support of the protesting Z^eY{ÖËZÅdYÂy,Ì¿ZÅÄÀÌ»´Ë{{ students. 8 ÖeZÌ·Z»,Õ{Zf«YÕZÅÄ{¹ÓcZuÔYZ] As the head of the International PEN center in China and a professor at prominent Ëve Äf Ä] ÂÀ» { ÖÌv»dË Á American universities, Liu Xiaobo was Ä^ÀmfÌ]ZÅÄfYÂy¾ËYYÖy] {Â]Ã|»M{ DKLJKSUR¿OH¿JXUHLQ&KLQDDQGDEURDG ½ZÌ¿Z]dYÂyÄ]½YÂeֻĸ¼m½MY dY{Ö¿|» well before his arrest on December 8, ÖZ¼fmY¾Ì»Pe¹Z¿ÕY«]Z]Ä]Y{ÂÀ» 2008, two days before the release of Á½Z³|ÀÅ{cZÌ·Z»©Â¬udËZ,¾Ìq{̳Y§ 9 the Charter. Just before his sentencing, Ä Âe¾ËY»Ä]¹YfuYÁdËÌv»YÕY|Za ;LDRERUHOHDVHGD¿QDOVWDWHPHQWZKLFK Ö¿|»ÕZÅZZ¬e¾ËYZ]½Z»¼Å {¯ÃZY, Y|ËZa detailed his life's work to transform Chinese society and declared, "I hope that Ö·Âve½ZÅYÂy,ÂÀ»½YY~³ÄËZa,ÖZÌÁ ֿ³³{ÁÃ|º¯ZuÕ{Zf«Y¹Z¿{Õ|m cZ»Z¬»Y,{YMYZ]ÄËZa]Y½MÕZZ]Á |¿{Â]Ã|ZfYÂy¾ÌqÖf»Â°u
Õ^Å ÕZŹZ¿k{Y,ÂÀ»½Z³|ÀË¿Äq³Y Y Äq |¿YÃ|ËÁ ÕY{{Ây ¾f» ¾ËY { {Ây Z]ÕÂÀ»Y½Mį,¾f»sÁÄ]Õ|À^ËZaÕÁ ½ÓZ §ÁÖ¿|»Ä »ZmÕZYÖ»Z¼e f{{Á ÕZÅ|Ë|uÔ ÄËÁY Y Äq Á |¿Y{Ö» ÖZÌ Y Â^ËY³ ÂÌ· ½YZ¯|¿Yd{ \¸£Y ,ÖfÌÀ»Y |¿Y{Ö»[Âv»ÄÌ¿ZÌ]¾ËYÖ¸YÃ|ÀË¿ YµZ §ÁÄ¿ZËÂmt¸ÃZ^»ÄÅ{Á{Ĭ]ZÂÌ· I will be the last victim of China's endless d»Â°uÂe½Y|¿ÁÆ]©Â¬u¬¿Ä̸ literary inquisitions and that from now on Ë|e Y a Â]ÂWZÌ |¯Ö» |Ë ¾Ìq no one will be incriminated because of ¾Ìq Ä] ZaÁY Á Ã|vf» cÓZËY ÕZÅÃZ´¿Y{ { speech. Freedom of expression is the basis of human rights, the source of humanity {|¿ÂÌb]ÖY¯Â»{^ÀmÄ]Zed³Z] and the mother of truth. To block freedom µZ{¾»½M¾Ìe½Y|Ì»cZYfYÖ{ÁY of speech is to trample on human rights, ½ZËÂn¿Y{dËZ¼u{Y~£[ZfY®Ë, to strangle humanity and to suppress the ®Ë½YÂÀÄ]Â]ÂWZÌÂÌ· dyY|¿YÃYÄ]f » truth." 10 º¸«Ö¸¸¼·Y¾Ì]¯»ÌWÁÃZ´¿Y{Äfm]{ZfY In addition to Xiaobo, the initial ^»Z{Á{ÕÁdY{Z]YÌaÖfu,¾Ìq 300 signatories ranged from academics, Zf¿YYÌaÁÁ{ÖÀ Ë,Õ{ÔÌ»µZ ]©Â¬uÁÖY¯Â»{ ZÅÄ]ne www.tavaana.org writers and former members of the ¾Ìq¶yY{{ÄmÂe¶]Z«ÖeÆY,ÂÀ» CCP to farmers, factory workers and YÌaÂ]ÂWZÌ {Â]Y{Ây]Ö¿ZÆmt{Á HQWUHSUHQHXUV 2WKHU VLJQL¿FDQW PHPEHUV of the Charter 08 group include former ½M{į{¯{Z ÖËZÆ¿ÈÌ¿ZÌ] ®Ëd̻°v» member of the Communist Youth League cZÌWmZ]Y¾ÌqÈ »ZmÌ̤eÕY]{ÂyÕZÅZ¯ Zhang Zuhua, who quit the organization ¾f¨³¾zZyÄ]¾» dY{¹ÔYÁ{¯½ZÌ] in protest of the Tiananmen Square ^À»,]©Â¬u{ZÌÀ]½ZÌ]Õ{YM ¹YÃ|¹Â°v» massacre on 1989 and was detained for a Á ½{¯ {Á|v» dY d¬Ì¬u {Z» Á dÌ¿Z¿Y few days before the release of the Charter; Ĩy ,] ©Â¬u ¬¿ ,½ZÌ] Õ{YM ½{¯ | prominent Tibetan blogger Tsering YÕÁ dYd¬Ì¬u[¯ÁdÌ¿Z¿Y½{¯ :RHVHU IRUPHU &&3 RI¿FLDO %DR 7RQJ who criticized the government for the {įdYY{Ây]Ö¿ÓÂÖeYZ^»ÄrzËZe milk poisoning incident earlier the same Ä¿Z˳ÁcZ»Y|«Y]Y]{µZ §d»ÁZ¬»½ZÌ»½M year and "signed Charter 08 to correct cZZ¼fmY{ÂuÁ¾Ìqd̿¼¯d»Â°u [his] mistake of 60 years ago when [he] {]¹Z¿½YÂeÖ»Y¾»½M¾Ìe½Y|Ì»ÖYfY originally joined the Party”; and journalist YÌ£Ä],ÂÀ»¾ËYÃ|ÀÀ¯LZ»Y½ZÌ»{ Li Datong, an editor with the China Youth ,ÃZ´¿Y{|ÌeZYÖy]¹Z¿Ä]½YÂeÖ»,Â^ËY³ÂÌ· Daily. 11 ,½Y³Z¯ ,Ö¿|» Á ÖZÌ ¾Ì·Z § ,½Y°¨ÀÁ Civic Environment º¯Zu[uª]ZÕZYYÖy]Á½Z³|ÀË¿ Since it assumed control of mainland ,ÂÀ»¾ËY½Z³|ÀÀ¯LZ»YdƧ {¯ÃZYÌ¿ China in 1949, the Chinese Communist Ä]½ZÌ»¾ËY{½YÂeֻįdYÖ»ZÀ]{Y§Y¶»Z Party's (CCP) rule has been marked by , ZËÂÅÁ²¿YdY{ÃZYËÕZÅdÌz gross human rights violations. According į,º¯Zu[u½Z¿YÂmÄyZª]ZÕZYY to Freedom House’s 2009 Freedom ¾»½M½ZÌe½Y|Ì»¾Ì¿Ây[¯Ä]YfY{ in the World Report, “The Chinese {¯Õ̳ÃZÀ¯{Âyd¼Y,¾WÁ{ government in 2008 increased restrictions on online writers, human rights lawyers, ¹Zn¿YZe|dY{Z]Öe|»ÕY]½MÖa{Á democracy activists, migrant workers, {YM½Y|¿YÂÀ»Zf¿YYÌaÁ|Àq and individuals seeking to petition the ÂÆ» Ë¿±Ô]Á , ÂWÂÅ5 ²ÀËe -| central government on abuses by local įº¯Zu[uª]ZÂ, ²¿ÂeÂWZ]-Öf^e RI¿FLDOV´ 12 ,¹Â¼»ÕZÅÌËÂeÄ]YfY{µZ½Z¼Å Alongside Iran, China is one of µZįÖÅZ^fYsÔY ÁÖÅYÂyÂa{ the world’s most repressive of internet \°e»d̿¼¯[uÄ]¾fÂÌa{½MYÌa freedom, ranked by Freedom House as the second least digitally free country in Ö·¹Zn¿YÁ-{¯Z»YYÂÀ», {Â]Ã| the world. 13 According to Chinese civic cPÌÅ ¾ÌÌa  Á Z´¿Ä»Z¿Á , ²¿ÂeY{ activist Yang Jianli, “Google found out that ¾Ìq½Z¿YÂmÄ»Z¿ÁÄËËve www.tavaana.org ¾Ìq{ÖY¯Â»{ÕY]Ö¿YÂyY§-ÂÀ» the Chinese government, through Google Ö¿|»ÕZ§ 0DLOZDVWU\LQJWR¿QGLQIRUPDWLRQIURP human rights activists’ private accounts, Y{Âyĸ,d̿¼¯[uįֿZ»Y and for quite a long time.” 14 Using a Ze{f³Õ{ÔÌ»µZ{¾ÌqÃZ«cÔ§] sophisticated system of mechanisms for ©Â¬uÖ·Z¼ËZaÁ[¯Z¼Ö]{Y»,Á»YÄ] censoring, monitoring and controlling Ã|¿Zd^iÄ]{ÂyÄ·ZdÄ»Z¿Z¯{Y] mobile and internet technologies, the ÖËZ°Ë»M {ZÌÀ] Ä¿ÓZ Y³ ZY ] dY Chinese government has arrested the dÌ Á Y³ ½YÂÀ dve Õ{YM Ä¿Zy world’s largest number of individuals imprisoned for their online activities, with ¾Ìqd»Â°u , µZ{½ZÆm{Õ{YM at least 49 digital activists behind bars as µZ¼Y ÕZÅdË{Á|v» Õ{ÔÌ» µZ { of mid-2008. 15 ,½Z¿Y{©Â¬u ,ÕZn» ÕZ§ ½Z³|ÀË¿ ] Ã| Despite increased NGO activity Á mZÆ» ½Y³Z¯ ,ÖZÌ Á Ö¿|» ½Y´À¯ and calls from reform inside China, the Ze |¿YÄfY{ Ôe ÖË¿Z»Â Z] į Õ{Y§Y cZ»Z¬»ÕÂYįּfY{ÂyYfYÕY| ½Y³Ä]Y{ÂÖ»ÄfY{YÁ½Z¿M]Ö¸v» dYÃ{Y{f³,|À¿Z]Õ¯»d»Â°u d̿¼¯¹Z¿,½YËY]º¯Zu¹Z¿ZÀ¯{ ½Y´]¯ ½ZÌ» { ©Â§ Y³ ª^ ,¾Ìq Äf§³Y«½ZÆm{,¹Á{Ã{{,d¿fÀËYÕ{YM , Ö·½ZÌm ²¿ZË ÕZÅÕ³Z§Y ÄËZa ] dY ÖËZ°Ë»M d¯ ,ÖÀÌq Ö¿|» ´À¯ į {ÂÖ» ÄmÂf» ,¶³Â³ Öf¿fÀËY ³Ânfm government has repeatedly shown that it is not willing to compromise its hold on ZŵZ ,¶Ì»¶³Â³ Ä¿Z»Z ÃY Y ¾Ìq d»Â°u information both coming into and going ¾Ì·Z §ÖÂyÕZÅÃ{Y{Ä]ZedYÃ{¯Ôe out of the country, or entertain political ½Z¿MÖZ¼fmYÁÖ¿|»ÁÖZ^eYÕZÅÄ°^ÁÖÀÌq change at even the most local levels. The ÖeZÔYÁÖfÌÀ»YÕZÅ{ZÆ¿ |À¯Y|ÌaÖf{ regime uses an opaque law, the State |¿YÃ{¯Ö c|»¾ËYÖ,¾Ìq{d̿¼¯ Secrets Law, to legitimize the arrest and Ä]{Âm»ÕZÅÄ¿Z»Z¾ËeÃ|ÌrÌaYÃ{Z¨fYZ]Ze detention of anyone engaged in political ¾¨¸eÁÕZn»ÕZÅÄ°^Õ̼»Á{ÂÀ,cZ¿ activity without party approval; opposition groups like the China Democracy {Y| e¾ËfÌ]dY{Z]Z]ÁÃ|ËÁ¹Y|«Y,ÃY¼Å Party and independent journalists and { ½ZËZÅdÌ·Z § ¹m Ä] ½ZÆm t { {Y§Y bloggers are frequently jailed on charges ,Õ{ÔÌ»µZļ̿ZeZÆÀe,ÕZn»ÕZ§ of “subversion of state power.” 16 The dYÃ{¯Ö¿Y|¿YÖf¿fÀËY½Y´À¯Y¾e number of politically related detentions ÕZŽZ»Z ÕZÅdÌ·Z § ËY§Y {ÂmÁ Z] ]©Â¬uÁÖY¯Â»{ ZÅÄ]ne www.tavaana.org doubled from 2007 to 2008 with 1,623 ÕY]½Z¿MÖa{ÖaÕZÅZZ¬eÁÖf·Á{Ì£Ö¿|» new detentions recorded by the Duihua ¯¾ËYd»Â°u,¾Ìq{̳Y§cZuÔY Foundation. Although statistics on executions are not publicly available, ÕZÅdË{Á|v» ¾fZ¯ { Äv·Z» Y ½ZÀr¼Å according to Amnesty International, µÂ^«YÌ¿ÁÖmZyÁÖ¸yY{cZÔY{³ the Chinese government expanded ,Ö¸v»sÂ{Öfu,cZuÔY½YÌ»¾Ëf¼¯ its use of lethal injection as a form Z°eYZ],¾Ìqd̿¼¯¹Z¿ |À¯Ö»Ö·ZyÄ¿Z of capital punishment, and the group , Öf·Á{YY½Â¿Z«½YÂÀdveºÆ^»Ö¿Â¿Z«Ä] estimates that at least 1,700 ÃZmY ½Á|] į Y Õ{§ Å ^u Á dY{Z] executions took place in 2009, while ÖZÌÕZÅdÌ·Z §Ä],d̿¼¯[ucZ»Z¬» at least 7,000 death sentences were issued. 17 Ä»ZmÁÃ|Ìz]dÌÁ»,{ÁMÕÁÖ¿|»Á On December 8, 2008, two days ¦·Zz»ÕZŽZ»ZÁZÅÃÁ³ |¿ZÂaֻֿ¿Z« before the public release of Charter 08, ÕZYÁ ¾ÌqÕÓZ¹{»[u½Âr¼Å,Ì¿ Liu Xiaobo was detained by state security ½YÂÀdve,¯¾ËY½YZ´¿Ä»Z¿ÁÌ¿Á½M forces for his involvement with the Charter dY{Z] \e» , ¹Z¿ Ä̸ ¹Y|«Y Á Y|¿Y] and held until the end of the year. He was {ZÌÀ] ÕZÅY³ ZY ] |¿ÂÖ» Ö¿Y|¿ Á then formally arrested in June 2009 on Ö¿Y|¿ Z] Ze Y , ZWÂÅÖWÁ{ suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power” and later sentenced to eleven d^¿ÖZÌÕZÅdY{Z]{Y| e,|Ë|mÖZÌ years’ imprisonment on December 25th, {Â^¿{ dYÄfY{ËY§Y]Y]Á{¶^«µZÄ] 2009. Despite major international efforts ]Á¯¾ËY{ZŹY|YÄÀÌ»{ªÌ«{ÕZÅZ»M from esteemed writers, political leaders, d»Â°u,¶¸¼·Y¾Ì]¨½Z»ZÕZÅY³ÄËZa and human rights advocates to demand Z^³»ÕZŪËeYËY§YÄ]ÁÃ{Z¨fYZ],¾Ìq Xiaobo’s release, the Chinese government ,¹Y|YÄ]¹Â°v»Y,Õ{ÔÌ»µZ{ refuses to grant his freedom. 18 In addition dYÃ|¿ZcYZn»Ä]Y½Z¿MY¾e to Xiaobo’s arrest, over 100 of the original signatories of Charter 08 have been ,Â^ËY³ÂÌ·,Õ{ÔÌ»^»Z{ºfÅ{ arrested, detained and interrogated at some ¶Ì·{Ä]ÁÂÀ»Zf¿YYÌaÁÁ{ZÆÀe point since the release of the human rights ½M½ZËZaZeÁdY{Z],½M¾ËÁ|e{¾fY{d{ document. ^»Z{{ÕÁ,½MYa |Ö¿Y|¿µZ Z¼ ´Ë{ Z] ¹Z¿ ÕY|¿Y] Ä] ¹ZÆeY ÄËZa ] Message and Audience ½Z¼Å^»Z{{ÁÃ|¹ZÆeYºÌƨeÁdY{Z] The broader aim of the movement º£Ö¸ |¹Â°v»½Y|¿µZÃ{ZËÄ],µZ is to divest the Chinese people of the authoritarian notion of an “enlightened Á ½Z³|ÀË¿ ,½Y°¨ÀÁ Y ÕZÌ] Ôe RYHUORUG´ RU DQ ³KRQHVW RI¿FLDO´ DQG WR Õ{YMÕY],½ZÆmt{]©Â¬u¾Ì·Z § “turn instead toward a system of liberties, ZÅY½Z¯Z¼¯,¾ÌqÖËZ«cZ»Z¬»,Â^ËY³ÂÌ· www.tavaana.org ¾Ìq{ÖY¯Â»{ÕY]Ö¿YÂyY§-ÂÀ» democracy, and the rule of law, and toward ÃÁÔ |¿YÃ|ËÁÕY{{Ây½Y|¿YÕÁ¾fyZ fostering the consciousness of modern ÄÌ·ÁY½Z³|ÀÀ¯LZ»YY¾eYÌ],Â^ËY³] citizens who see rights as fundamental and participation as a duty.” 19 The ÕYÄÅ]{,µZuÄ]Ze½MZf¿YÁY,ÂÀ» Charter's text is primarily directed towards |¿YÃ|ÖËÂmZ]ÁdY{Z],½Z»Y &KLQHVH FLWL]HQV ³ZKHWKHU RI¿FLDOV RU common people and regardless of social \Zz»Á¹ZÌa background” and aimed at mobilizing them towards “taking an active part in , ÂÀ» Y h ^À» ^Àm e»Zm ¥|Å this citizens’ movement, to promote the ½Âr¼Å Ö¼ÌÅZ¨» Y ¹{» ½{¯ ½Y{´ËÁ great transformation of Chinese society Á ¾»Y|¯Za Á Y´f»|y Á ¸z» cZ»Z¬» together,” in order to “establish a free, ½Âr¼Å ¾Ë´ËZm Ö¼ÌÅZ¨» Ä] ZÆ¿M ½{Y{ ©Â 20 democratic, and constitutional nation.” ªËÂeÁ½Â¿Z«d»Â°u,ÕÓZ¹{»,Õ{YM This message was powerfully conveyed ½Z¿Y©Â¬uįÕ{|nf»½Y|¿ÁÆÖÅZ³M{Ây through the text of the manifesto, which made frequent references to the great d¯Z»Á¾Ë{ZÌÀ]dYÕYķ¬»Ä]Zj»Ä]½ZËY] history of the Chinese civilization and the ,ÂÀ»¾f» {ÁÖ»Z¼Ä]ĨÌÁZÆ¿MÕY] capacity of its people, and how such a past Y«\Zz»YÖÀÌq½Y|¿ÁÆÌqÅYÌa could be recreated in the future if certain ¹{»ÄqÁ¯¾ËYÖ¼cZ»Z¬»Äq ,|Å{Ö» freedoms and reforms are brought to the ,¾f»¾ËY¥|Å ½Z¿MÄÀÌÌaY¿¥,Õ{Z 21 country. d¯Z» ÕÂÄ]ÖÀÌq½Y|¿ÁÆÖ»Z¼elÌ] ÕY],dYÕ|¿ÁÆÁÖ¿|»^Àm¾ËY{µZ § Outreach Activities While the Charter did seemingly ÕZ½Â³³{{Ö¿Z´¼Åd¯Z»ÄË|¿Y̧e little to move Chinese authorities, who ,{YMÕYÄ »Zm ÕY«]ÕZfY{ ÖÀÌqÄ »Zm dismissed it as culturally incompatible Ä]¹ZÌa¾ËY ÖZY½Â¿Z«]ÖÀf^»ÁÓZ¹{» and modeled on Western-style democratic ¾Ì^Zz»Ä]ÂÀ»¾f»ªËY¶°¾ËeYÂfY values, it did lead to increased international xËZeÄ]°»ZmYZ]įÖÀf»,|¶¬fÀ»½M criticism of and pressure on the Chinese ÕZZ]į{ÂÖ»ÁM{ZË,¾ÌqÖÀ£½|¼eÁ government. 22 Notable writers, foreign Å ½{Y~³ YmY Ä] Á³ { ¯ ¾ËY ÄÀÌÌa governments and, unsurprisingly, the Dalai Lama all wrote letters of protest ¾fyZ Y«] Á cZuÔY Öy] eË Äq to the Chinese government following {Â]|ÅYÂyÄ »Zm{ZÅÕ{YM the arrest of many of the Charter’s signatories. 23 f³Y§ÕZÅdÌ·Z § Liu Xiaobo's leadership of China's PEN Center undoubtedly played an { Ö¿Y|Àq d̬§Â» , ÂÀ» Ä°ÀËY Z] important role in increasing publicity of Öf»Â°u,dY|¿¾Ìqd»Â°uZf§Ö¿Â³³{ ]©Â¬uÁÖY¯Â»{ ZÅÄ]ne www.tavaana.org and support for the Charter 08 movement. Y½MÁÃ{¯Ì¨°eY©Â§ÂÀ»Ä¸Z§Ô]į The original text of the Charter, in Yh ^À»ÁÖ»Â],Ö´ÀŧÕZÅ\·Z«Z]{Ze{ Mandarin, was posted on the Center's website and helped mobilize a number ¾f»¾ËYZf¿YÖ·Á,{¯{Y|¼¸«Ö]£ÕZÅY of Chinese citizens to participate d^¿Ö¸¸¼·Y¾Ì]ÕZÅ{Z¬f¿YÁZÅZ§Ze|hZ] in protests. º¯Zud̿¼¯ÖZ̹Z¿Á½Y³d»Â°uÄ] While the government continues its {Y| e,\Ìee¾Ë|] |]ZËËY§Y¯¾ËY] campaign of repression on activists like ,½ZÆm t { ¹ZÀ] ½Z³|ÀË¿ Y ÕZ¼Ö] Xiaobo, Chinese dissidents like Jianli Ö^Å~»^Å,Z»ÓÖWÓY{zÄf^·YÁZÅd»Â°u have developed online publications and ,Ä¿Z³Y|m ÖËZÅÄ»Z¿ { ,Öf^e ½ZÌWY{Â] Ä·Z Ä]{ÂyYfYÁ¾f»¾ËYY{ÂyÖ¿Z^Ìfa\eY» ÔYÄ]Y½M½Z³|ÀÀ¯LZ»YYÕZÌ]dY{Z] |¿|¿Z¾Ìqd̿¼¯½Y^Å ÂÌ· ¬¿ į | ¯~f» |ËZ] ½ZÌ» ¾ËY { {,¯¾ËYº¸«¯»ÌW½YÂÀÄ],Â^ËY³ Ö^ÀmYÁ¾f»¾ËYYÖ¿ZÆmÖ¿Z^ÌfatLZ¬eY Ã{Â]iR»ZÌ]|Ë{eÖ],{Âyº«½MÄËZa]į fÀ»¾ËY|¿Z»½Z]Ä]ÂÀ»ÄÌ·ÁY¾f» dY |ÕY³Z]¯¾ËYº¸«¾¼n¿YÕZ¼¿Ze{Á ½Y|¿ÁÆYÖy]Ö¿Z^Ìfad¿YÂeÃY¾ËYYÁ |À¯\¸m^Àm¾ËYÄ]YÖÀÌq ,¾ÌqÖfÌÀ»YÁÖËZ«cZ»Z¬»Ä°ÀËY{ÂmÁZ] ÂÌ· ½Âr¼Å Ö¿Y´À¯ [¯ Ä] ½ZÀr¼Å ,Ö·½ZÌm |À¿Z¼Å ,½Y´Ë{ ,|ÀÅ{Ö» Ä»Y{Y Â^ËY³ Z°eYZ]ÁÕZn»ÕZ§{ÕÁM¾§YÃ{Z¨fYZ] ÖmZyÕZÅdÌzÁZÅ{ZÆ¿ÕZÅÖ»³daÄ] secure means of communication with ÕZÅdÌ·Z §Ä]½Z¯Z¼¯,¶¸¼·Y¾Ì]Ä »Zmt{ activists still inside the country, thanks {{ÂyÕZÅÄf¿ËY§YÁÄÀÌ»¾ËY{{Ây to modern technology and attention from ÕZŶaÕZY«]Ä]ÁÃ{Y{Ä»Y{YÕZn»Ä the international community. According Ä]»½Á]{ÂÀÅįֿY´À¯Z]ÖZ^eY to Jianli, “With each year we will… Ö·½ZÌmį½Z¼Å |ÀZ]Ö»µÂ¤»,|¿]Ö» engage in the real exchange of ideas…and also build up a friendship and the united tZ¬eYÄ]Z»,{~³Ö»Ä¯µZÅ ,|˳ֻ effort to push for change for China, for Z°§YÖ «YÁµ{Z^e Ã{Y{Ä»Y{Y{ÂyÕZÅdÌ·Z § democracy.” 24 Y ÖfÁ{ ÕZÅĬ¸u Á cZZ^eY ÕZÄ°^ Á www.tavaana.org ¾Ìq{ÖY¯Â»{ÕY]Ö¿YÂyY§-ÂÀ»
The international community has ÁºnÀ»ÕYÄÆ^m¹Z°vfYÁÖËZa]ÕZfY{ increased its pressure on China to release ֿ³³{ÁÕÓZ¹{»½{]ÌaÕY]|vf» Xiaobo and allow greater freedom of expression by awarding Xiaobo the 2010 ºÌÀ¯Ö»µZ^¿{,¾Ìq{ Nobel Peace Prize. The international dÆmY¾Ìq]{ÂyZ§Ö¸¸¼·Y¾Ì]Ä »Zm outcry to free the Nobel laureate has ÃËZm ÕZY Z] Á Ã{Y{ ËY§Y Â]ÂWZÌ Õ{YM been supplemented by a recent letter, |ÅYÂyÖ»d·Á{¾ËYY,ÕÁÄ]¶]¿t¸ written and signed by retired members |À¯ºÅY§ÕÁÕY]ÕfÌ]½ZÌ]Õ{YM½Z°»Y of the Chinese Communist Party, calling ÇËZmÃ|¿Y{¾ËYÕ{YMÕY]Ö¸¸¼·Y¾Ì]dYÂy on the Chinese government to abandon Äf¿Z]ÕZYÂeįÌyYÄ»Z¿®ËZ],¶]¿ censorship. 25 Though the Chinese government has harshly criticized Ã| ¶Ì¼°e ,Ã| Z»Y ¾Ìq d̿¼¯ [u the Nobel committee’s decision to Y¿Z|ÀÅYÂyÖ»¾Ìqd·Á{YZÆ¿M dY award Xiaobo the peace prize, the ¶]¿ Äf̼¯ ºÌ¼e ¾Ìq d·Á{ {Y~´] ZÀ¯ international community’s encouragement ªËÂe,Â]ÂWZÌÄ]¶]¿t¸ÃËZmÕZYÕY] and the former ruling elites’ letter ÖZÌ ¾ÌÌa ½Z´^z¿ Ä»Z¿ Á ¶¸¼·Y¾Ì] Ä »Zm represent a sustained support for the s» ÕZÅY Y ¹ÁY|f» dËZ¼u ] ÖÀ^» values put forth in Charter 08 nearly two Y«{Z¬f¿Y{»ÖfzÄ]YÂÀ»{Ã| years ago. dYÃ{Y{
Footnotes ZÅd¿Öa 1. Spencer, Richard. “Chinese Dissidents Emulate Anti-Soviet Heroes with Charter 08”. The Telegraph 9 Dec 2008. 2. Charter 08 (English). Human Rights in China. 09 Dec. 2008. &KRQJ\L)HQJ³&KDUWHU $1HZ%HJLQQLQJIRU&KLQHVH/LEHUDOLVP´+LVWRU\1HZV1HWZRUN Jan 2010. 4. "Charter 08 (English)." Human Rights in China. 09 Dec. 2008. 5. Ibid. 6. Ibid. 7. Ibid. 8. Macartney, Jane. "Leading Chinese Dissident, Liu Xiaobo, Arrested over Freedom Charter." Times Online. 10 Dec. 2008. ³&KLQD /LX;LDRER¶V7ULDOD7UDYHVW\RI-XVWLFH´+XPDQ5LJKWV:DWFK'HF ;LDRER/LX,+DYH1R(QHPLHV /LX;LDRER V)LQDO6WDWHPHQW)RUHLJQ3ROLF\2FW 11. "China Detains Dissidents Ahead of Human Rights Day." Reuters India. 09 Dec. 2008. Ramzy, Austin. "Chinese Dissident Bao Tong Speaks Out." TIME. 27 Jan. 2009. Zhen, Wang. "Over 5,000 China 6FKRODUV6XSSRUW&KDUWHUƍV3ROLWLFDO5HIRUP&KLQD9LHZ'HF 12. “China (2009).” Freedom in the World Report. Freedom House. 2009. ³)UHHGRP RQ WKH 1HW $ *OREDO$VVHVVPHQW RI ,QWHUQHW DQG 'LJLWDO 0HGLD´ )UHHGRP +RXVH March 2009. ]©Â¬uÁÖY¯Â»{ ZÅÄ]ne www.tavaana.org
14. “Tavaana Exclusive Interview with Yang Jianli.” Tavaana. 2010. 15. Ibid. 16. “China (2009).” Freedom in the World Report. Freedom House. 2009. 17. Ibid. 18. International PEN. "International PEN Protests the Detention of Leading Chinese Dissident Writer Liu Xiaobo." Letter to Hu Jintao. 17 Dec. 2008. 19. "Charter 08 (English)." 20. Ibid. 21. Ibid. 22. Bristow, Michael. "China Aims to Silence Reform Call." BBC News. 12 Jan. 2009. 23. "International PEN Protests the Detention of Leading Chinese Dissident Writer Liu Xiaobo." 24. “Tavaana Exclusive Interview with Yang Jianli.” 25. Demick, Barbara.< "Big names on letter calling for China to end censorship." LA Times. 13 Oct. 2010.
Learn More |Ì¿Y|]fÌ] News and Analysis ZÅÄ·Z¬»ÁZÅ^y Australia-Tibet Council. Dalai Lama's Statement on Charter 08. 12 Dec. 2008. Charter 08 (English). Human Rights in China. 09 Dec. 2008. "China Detains Dissidents Ahead of Human Rights Day." Reuters India. 09 Dec. 2008. Klinghoffer, Judith A. "CHINESE SUPPORT CHARTER 08/update." History News Network. 10 Dec. 2008. Spencer, Richard. “Chinese Dissidents Emulate Anti-Soviet Heroes with Charter 08”. The Telegraph 9 Dec 2008. "Taiwan Should Heed 'Charter 08' Message." Taiwan News. 25 Dec. 2008.
Books ZÅ[Zf¯ =KRX.DWH;LDR&KLQD V/RQJ0DUFKWR)UHHGRP *UDVVURRWV0RGHUQL]DWLRQ1HZ%UXQVZLFN1- Transaction, 2009.
Videos ZÅÂW|ËÁ “Charter 08 - Constitutional Democracy for China.” YouTube. 08 Dec 2009. “Lio Xiaobo Discusses Freedom of Expression in China (International PEN Center).” YouTube. 31 Dec 2008. “Tavaana Exclusive Interview with Yang Jianli.” Tavaana. 2010.