Environmental activists jailed in China

Demonstration in China. Image: theepochtimes.com

There is no democracy in China. That is a fact. If the Chinese people harmed in some way, it is easier if the grievances are not embodied in a mass protest. Demonstrations are illegal activities in mainland China, unless the Chinese community rallies and demonstrations against foreign countries. Being environmental activist living in China is a very dangerous activity. The environmentalists will be arrested, even jailed as has happened in Qidong.

China has sentenced 16 people to up to a year-and-a-half in prison for participation in an environmental protest last July when a crowd of thousands ransacked government offices. Only one defendant, Zhu Xiaoling, planned to appeal, the Xinhua report said. The protests eased after the owner of the factory, Japan's Oji Paper, announced it had cancelled the pipeline, which would have dumped waste water into the sea.


Smog in China. Image: smartplanet.com
A court in Qidong city, 65 km north of Shanghai, charged the group of demonstrators with "gathering to assault state organs, damaging property and theft" during the July 28 demonstration against a pipeline for waste from a paper factory.

China has seen a series of demonstrations against environmental pollution and planned industrial projects perceived as a threat to health in recent years. Authorities have allowed protesters to take to the streets, but cracked down on participants for disrupting public order and damaging property.

In the case in Qidong, in Jiangsu province, three protesters were sentenced to between one year and one-and-a-half years in jail, the Xinhua report said, but did not give exact details of their crimes. Another 13 people were given similar sentences but the court suspended the terms on the grounds they confessed and repented, Xinhua said. The sentences come during a particularly smoggy winter that has renewed widespread concern over China's environmental problems. Air quality levels in Beijing have frequently been labeled as unhealthy or dangerous.

The deepest dreams young people, students and activists in China to be able to enjoy peaceful demonstration activities as perceived by the people of Indonesia, the United States or Europe will be hard felt in the coming decades. Although the activists and students in Indonesia and other countries have enjoyed the freedom to conduct rallies or protest to the government, it would be nice if the demonstrations do not lead to chaos, anarchist, destruction of public buildings, public facilities especially when if a protest with violence because it will provoke the police. However, police are human beings. Go for nonviolent protest and provocation. Violence will only result in subsequent violence.

  

Popular posts from this blog

The future of human rights in China

Image
China Great Wall. Image: destination360.com Have you ever been to China? You certainly fascinated by the splendour of the Great Wall and the imperial court of China, the Forbidden City in Beijing. We are also familiar with Chinese art and culture such as Kung Fu, noodles, and the natural beauty of the country that has a very old history as India, Greece and Egypt.  You may also have heard and read about the greatness of China's economic, political and human rights violations in the country; even Japan was concerned with the spread of air pollution in China to Japan. Is air pollution would damage the health of the Japanese people is considered a human rights violation? Which obviously every human being has the right to clean air and blue skies. 
Read more

Obama brought winds of hope to Cuba. Why the Republican disagree?

Image
Obama brought winds of hope to Cuba. Why the Republican disagree? President Barack Obama has brought a wind of hope for Cuba, where relations had been frozen has been officially opened by Obama and Raul Castro. Both countries have created a new history, which will be an important legacy for Obama and the United States, as well as Cuba. The Republican in the US should not reject this new relationship, even Rolling Stone also had success pulling down the rigid democracy in Cuba. Rock music will pave the way for a wonderful change in this beautiful country. History in the 80s has been noted, that American President, Ronald Reagan has brought a wind of change in Germany, and demolish the Berlin Wall. Germany eventually become fully democratic country as had been envisioned by USA , and other Western countries. History has recorded have been torn down for the first time on November 9, 1989. Barack Obama also has made a historic step in 21 first century . He had been "demo
Read more

Dari Suara ke Aksi: Kebebasan Ekspresi dalam Demokrasi

Image
  Dari Suara ke Aksi: Kebebasan Ekspresi dalam Demokrasi Kebebasan Berpendapat dan Bereksresi dalam Konteks Negara Demokrasi Apakah Indonesia sudah termasuk sebagai negara yang memenuhi kriteria sebagai negara yang menjalankan kaidah-kaidah demokrasi? Kebebasan berpendapat dan berekspresi merupakan pilar utama dalam negara demokrasi. Konsep ini tidak hanya menjadi bagian dari hak asasi manusia, tetapi juga memainkan peran penting dalam membentuk masyarakat yang terbuka, dinamis, dan toleran. Dalam artikel ini, kita akan mengeksplorasi kaitan antara kebebasan berpendapat dan berekspresi dengan konsep negara demokrasi, serta melihat bagaimana penerapan kebebasan ini mempengaruhi kehidupan berbangsa dan bernegara. Kebebasan mengemukakan pendapat dan ekspresi adalah pilar demokrasi selain kebebasan pers dan penegakan hukum atau pemilihan umum secara langsung (Image: fisip.umsu.ac.id)   Definisi dan Asal Usul Kebebasan Berpendapat dan Bereksprsi Kebebasan berpendapat dan berekspresi
Read more