Rights group to China: Release Tiananmen prisoners

[Observer]

Rights group to China: Release Tiananmen prisoners
Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:23:25 PM  By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN
 
Dozens of people remain imprisoned for taking part in the 1989 pro-democracy protests centered in Tiananmen Square, though releasing them would improve China's image ahead of the Beijing Olympics this summer, a human rights group said.

New York-based Human Rights Watch said about 130 prisoners are still being held for their role in the demonstrations that were crushed in a brutal military crackdown. The square in the heart of the Chinese capital is expected to feature prominently in media coverage of the Olympics, although authorities worry about the possibility of fresh protests marring the event.

"The Chinese government should show the global Olympic audience it's serious about human rights by releasing the Tiananmen detainees," Sophie Richardson, the group's Asia advocacy director, said in a statement released Monday in New York.

The square was calm Wednesday morning on the 19th anniversary of the June 3-4 military assault on the protesters in which hundreds, possibly thousands, were killed. China's Communist leaders portray the protest as an anti-government riot and have never offered a full accounting of the crackdown.

In a slight increase in the normally tight security, uniformed police and other security officials patrolled the square. There were random bag checks and plainclothes police used handheld video cameras to monitor the scene.

The only visual reminder of the protests 19 years ago was that the Monument to the People's Heroes was roped off and guarded. The monument was used as a rallying point by the students in 1989.

In Washington, the U.S. State Department urged China to make a full public accounting of those killed, detained or missing in the crackdown. It called on the international community to urge China to release prisoners still serving sentences from the protests.

The U.S. said that Chinese steps to protect freedoms of its citizens would help it "achieve its goal of projecting a positive image to the world."

China pledged to improve its human rights situation in its bid to host the 2008 Olympics. But one Tiananmen activist, whose son was killed as he hid from soldiers enforcing martial law, scoffed when asked whether the August games had spurred the government to change its attitude.

"I don't have this kind of illusion," said Ding Zilin, pointing out that some of her activist friends were placed under house arrest this year. She is the co-founder of the Tiananmen Mothers, a group representing families of those who died, and has campaigned to get the government to acknowledge those killed in the crackdown and compensate their families.

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[Tim S. Mercurio]

what about all those in america who never commited a crime yet have been in jail for many years! why not think of the people in you'r own country instead of dealing with crap on the table that doesnt belong to you???!!

eh anyways what ever happened, no one knows what really happened i would like to think it was the people who reacted first they allways do dating back from the hippies in america in the 60's thats why america has so many laws and regulations these days so it wont happen again what about the rodney king beatings!!
and the cops who instigated like allways or was is poor mr. king who instigated? what about the japs and pearl harbor or the japs in china or the mongolians vs china or america vs china or germany and prussia and germany and germany and germany and isreal and isreal and pakistan omg! the list goes on but who is at fault??>?>??>

maybe its a thing called Homo sapiens and the two chimpanzee's

[majiren]

Eh, what about America  They were shot! (worse than going to jail for a crime you didn't commit)   ...I don't really think you can compare it to war!! (japs vs chinks, gooks vs yanks)

tsm - WTF?!?

[Tim S. Mercurio]

i am just explaining that every year in america police not only do corruption againt the people but allso kill them aswell as it's so easy while having a glock on them at all time's this has been happening since the  early 1900's just because america is the youngest of most to all country's yet it had done far more and twisted ways to society than any existed country

each year police brutality comes about and no one does anything about it because of fear thats lead towards other's

america is a police state while china is an army state

one little tiananmen has nothing against american corruption wars and terrorism riots gangs thats surrounded in everyday life where even some places in america most are too scared to even go to the store or even their schools
but no one talks and helps those

thats because its so bad and unjustified its basically too late for any closure or help thats how bad it is

what about events that happens each year as teens bring guns into schools and those who exploit kids and woman its a sick country and world i agree but all i hear is about tiananmen which was not that big of deal compared to american lives

a few years ago in my state a few police not only sold drugs that they stole from local small gangs they even turned their own wife into a trick = whore he was a state police aswell allso many of the hells angles are police aswell

[Mac]

hey................cut the crab and stop given sentimental opinions. How can you use the mistake of one situation to justify another. Two wrongs can't make a right..................besides they are independent not even mutually exclusive.

You either deny or justify the claims using relative facts not by making awkward inductions. We all are enlighten enough to at least know that the principle of human rights is a huge determinant of citizens daily activities not some gray law which can be misinterpreted by political misgivings.

In any case, I aint justifying or condemning what ever offices, persons or states we are talking about................cos I like most others have little information relavant enough even for a vote.

Let's  not be confused  between the concepts of legality and legitimacy. The will of the people overrides the laws at any given moment be those people blind, dumb, or politically unconscious…………………..

China is sovereign and can decide for itself what’s right or wrong………don’t forget the life of 1.3billion people is of paramount importance with respect to all decisions made  by the givernment............

we don't want this jeopardise..do we?

[Tim S. Mercurio]

if in any case if people have the rights of human emotion and thoughts why are there people who decide whats best for us as they claim

such as in some country's the government states you can buy a beer and walk with a jimbeam at any given time but at the same time enother country states you can drink a beer but its illegal to buy before the said year and date of you'r birth

where as enother country would say hey foreigner come to us we can offer you a pleasent journey into a world of hemp and seduction

too many laws too much control and unwanted patterns no matter where you are there is atleast some sort of corruption and dishonesty and those who try to control how you live!

eh' good luck!