Showing posts with label freedom of expression. Show all posts
Showing posts with label freedom of expression. Show all posts

China Shuns Rushdie's Human Rights Lecture


China has reacted to Salman Rushdie's article that he wrote for The Telegraph this month in which he wrote that China is the world's biggest threat to freedom of speech.

China's embassy in London responded with an open letter titled, 'Human Rights lecture not needed'. China denounced Rushdie's call for the release of Ai Weiwei, the Chinese artist who has been detained since April 3rd.

China feels this is interference in its judicial independence and violates its judicial sovereignty. China, therefore does not accept what Salman Rushdie wrote. China is a country under the rule of law. The basic rights and freedoms of Chinese citizens, including freedom of expression are protected by the law as they claim. China feels its people have immense amount of freedom to express whatever they like.

Wow, I feel China is definitely a country that does not allow freedom of speech to its people. People are locked up and threatened. They are not allowed to speak freely, use twitter and facebook openly. And Ai Weiwei detention was just another case of China's intolerance. Same goes for its treatment of animals and animal torture that takes place there more than often.

Tell Clinton to Help Free Wangchen and Dhondup

Tashi Dhondup

Dhondup Wangchen

Two Tibetan artists were arrested for peacefully expressing their political opinions.

Tashi Dhondup is a popular singer from the eastern Tibetan region of Amdo. He was arrested following the 2009 release of a CD containing songs which included lyrics calling for the Dalai Lama's return to Tibet and lamenting that "There is no freedom in Tibet."

Plainspoken businessman Dhondup Wangchen bought a small camera and began interviewing monks and yak herders for his documentary film Leaving Fear Behind. He bravely gave a voice to Tibetans living under China's rule. Sadly, after finishing the film, he was arrested and his own voice was silenced.

U.S. Secretary of State Clinton will soon be meeting with Chinese officials. Ask her to press for the release Dhondup Wangchen and Tashi Dhondup, and for respect of the rights to freedom of expression and fair trial in future cases.

Take Action and sign the following petition if you believe in freedom of speech: