Chinese Law and Politics Blog

Interview on Radio Australia: Longnan Riots

I was interviewed on November 20 by Radio Australia regarding the recent riots in Longnan city in Gansu.  The verbatim transcript of the interview is here.

Are Chinese Authorities Seeking to Rein in the Courts?

Chinese authorities may be rethinking their willingness to allow the courts to serve as forums for challenges to existing Party and government controls.  Over the last year, Chinese authorities have launched the “Three Supremes” campaign, re-emphasizing Party control as a key principle that should guide the work of Chinese courts, instead of merely relying on the written law. 

The “Three Supremes” campaign coincides with personnel changes within the courts that suggest a less friendly environment for legal activists trying to use the court system to pursue their claims.  In March, Wang Shengjun assumed the role as president of the Supreme People’s Court, and has since played a leading role in promoting the “Three Supremes” campaign.  Unlike his predecessor, Wang’s background is deeply rooted in the Party’s political-legal apparatus and the public security forces, rather than in the courts or other legal institutions. 

The “Three Supremes” campaign also occurs at the same time as Chinese officials appear to be less comfortable with relying on court adjudication as a means to resolve citizen grievances.  In recent years, Chinese authorities have pushed to channel administrative and civil cases involving hotly disputed issues or large numbers of plaintiffs out of the court system and into mediation.  Chinese officials have also taken steps to curtail the use of such forums by Chinese lawyers and legal activists, including restricting their involvement in such cases.

Position: Intern at the Congressional-Executive Commission on China

The Congressional-Executive Commission on China is currently soliciting resumes for spring internships (paid) in Washington, D.C., working on Chinese human rights and rule of law issues.  Interns must be U.S. citizens.

Applications for spring internships must be received by December 1, 2008.  Further details are available below and on the Commission’s Web site at www.cecc.gov.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to the CECC via e-mail to [email protected] or via fax at (202) 226-3804, attention:  Judy Wright, Director of Administration.

Position: Program Officer, Raoul Wallenberg Institute

The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) is currently seeking a Programme Officer at RWI’s Field Office in Beijing for an initial time period of twelve months starting in January 2009, at the earliest. 

The mission of the Institute is to promote universal respect for human rights and humanitarian law by means of research, academic education, dissemination and institutional development.