China comes down hard on high profile dissident

Published: April 6, 2011

by Keith Locke

While the world’s attention has been focussed on the efforts of the pro-democracy movement in the Middle-East, China has been cracking down hard on dissidents.

Since February 16, 2011, 25 lawyers, activists and internet bloggers have been detained, arrested or disappeared. Human Rights Watch describes how China’s “current crackdown on activists…is the most severe in decades”.

One of the most high profile arrests has been that of Ai Wei Wei a well-known Chinese artist. Some within China think the decision by authorities to target such a high profile artist is intended to send a signal that no dissension will be tolerated no matter how high profile the person.

Ai is well known throughout the western art world and has had big installations at art meccas such as the Tate modern.

The US and various European governments have called for Ai’s release and hopefully the New Zealand government is aware of the situation and willing to follow suit.

If China gets away with taking out such respected critics, then the situation will certainly be grim for those with a lesser profile and that should be of concern to the whole world.

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Published in Justice & Democracy by Keith Locke on Wed, April 6th, 2011   

Tags: Ai Wei Wei, Human Rights Watch

More posts by Keith Locke | more about Keith Locke

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6 Comments

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1. john-ston

   Posted April 6, 2011 at 6:22 PM

   And it is times like this where I wonder whether or not we should have listened to Douglas Macarthur

   Like or Dislike: 1  0 (+1)
2. nznative

   Posted April 6, 2011 at 11:19 PM

   I thought that between Simon Powers and Judith Collins our own justice system has taken a step towards becoming like the Chinese model ……

   Like or Dislike: 3  1 (+2)
3. GrassRoots

   Posted April 7, 2011 at 10:21 AM

   Chinas ability to clamp down on free speech reaches beyond its own borders too. I remember the anger when PM Helen Clark was asked by Chinese officials not to have a formal meeting with the visiting Dalai Lama. She followed orders and the exiled leader of Tibet was instead just welcomed by her the airport. I doubt PM John Key would even do that. The more free trade deals and commercial ties we have with China the less our politicians are willing to speak out in support of Chinese citizens rights. The growing Chinese population in our own country deserves an apology for our easily purchased morals.

   Like or Dislike: 3  0 (+3)
4. Drakula

   Posted April 7, 2011 at 9:26 PM

   There needs to be a democratic revolution in China and it would be in our interests to support it.

   There is dreadfull exploitation and virtual slave camps where workers are being intimidated.

   Grassroots has a point and that was why I wrote a letter to Helen Clark telling her a free trade deal was a big mistake!!!!

   Like or Dislike: 1  0 (+1)
5. Lumbergher

   Posted April 8, 2011 at 10:27 AM

   The Chinese government certainly has its hands full, curtailing 1 billion people from using the Internet to express their true feelings on a suppressive system.

   Like or Dislike: 1  0 (+1)
6. Sam Buchanan

   Posted April 8, 2011 at 11:56 AM

   “Chinas ability to clamp down on free speech reaches beyond its own borders too. ”

   The NZ police general instructions were changed to require them to ensure protests do not embarrass VIPs, after a couple of incidents where protests against visiting Chinese politicians were blocked or moved away.

   Like or Dislike: 1  0 (+1)