Open Constitutional Initiative (China)

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The Open Constitutional Initiative (Chinese: 公 盟; Pinyin: gōngméng) is also known as Gongmeng in English. It is an organization made up of lawyers and academics in the People's Republic of China that advocates the rule of law and better constitutional protection. The initiative was founded in 2003 by Xu Zhiyong , Teng Biao , Yu Jiang and Zhang Yingshui from the Law Faculty of Peking University . The original name of the movement was "Sunshine Constitution" (Chinese: 阳光 宪政; Pinyin: yáng guāng xiàn zhèng), officially registered under the "Sunshine Constitution Social Science Research Center" (Chinese: 阳光 宪政 社会 科学研究 中心; Pinyin: yáng guāng xiàn zhèng shè huì kēēng shè huì kēng xué yán jiū zhōng xīn).

development

Independent online media and tabloids have played an important role in political discourse within Chinese society since 2002 . Many intellectual Chinese use the Internet to discuss possible developments in Chinese politics. The Open Constitutional Initiative is a group of such intellectuals. Their website features articles and reports on constitutional and civil rights issues. A well-known lawyer in the group is Xu Zhiyong.

On June 7, 2004, the website was blocked by Chinese Internet authorities for no specific reason.

The crackdown on the initiative came during a period of heightened political tension. This was particularly true of the conflict over the Taiwan Strait and the 15th anniversary of the Tian'anmen massacre in 1989. Political tensions were also heightened by events symbolic of China's rising international relations, such as the visit by representatives of Greece Olympic Committee.

In 2009, the constitutional initiative published a report criticizing the Chinese government's policy against Tibet . It argues that propaganda is being used to cover up failures in Chinese policy on Tibet, such as ethnic inequality and the creation of a "new aristocracy" from corrupt officials. This report was seen as a more balanced view of the situation in Tibet and was supported by internet discussion forums in China. The Chinese government has not commented on this report.

On July 14, 2009, the organization was fined an astronomical 1.46 million RMB (approx. € 200,000). On July 17, 2009, authorities declared the organization "illegal" and disbanded it. On July 29, 2009, Xu Zhiyong was arrested on charges of tax evasion and released on August 23, 2009 on bail. His co-worker Zhuang Lu is reported missing and may be held in a detention center in Beijing.

On August 21, 2010, the Public Security Bureau revoked all charges. All items that had been confiscated were returned. Xu and others continued their work and related activities in a new organization called the New Citizens Movement (Gongmin (Chinese: 公民; Pinyin : gōngmín)).

activities

2003

Xu Zhiyong, Teng Biao, Yu Jiang, and three law doctors suggested that the "Regulations Regarding the Custody of Vagrants and Beggars in Cities" be examined. This proposal was submitted to the incumbent committee of the National People's Congress. In doing so, the initiative highlighted the unconstitutionality of the investigation into the Sung Zhigang case. They also initiated a grassroots movement for local elections to the People's Congress.

2004

Participation in drafting a constitutional amendment to incorporate human rights; the draft was submitted to the National People's Congress. Tracking the Henan incident when authorities forcibly closed the HIV / AIDS orphanage (also known as the Home of Care and Love). Defense of Yu Huafeng and Cheng Yizhong, authorized signatory and editor-in-chief of the Southern Metropolitan Daily . Representing four innocent citizens who had been sentenced to death before the appeals court. Organized a symposium to discuss the legitimacy of Beijing Zoo relocation.

2005

Conducted research into China's petition system ( Xinfang ). Kick-off for the reception day of the delegation from the local people's congress. Investigation of the local People's Congress system. Start of the 2005 Human Rights Development Report in China .

2006

Completion of the 2005 Human Rights Development Report in China. The Open Constitutional Initiative is concerned about taxi prices in Beijing and their management system. The investigation into the Xinfang petition system, which began in 2005, will be concluded with a report. The initiative advocates better educational opportunities for migrant children. A change in the law on the management of dog owners proposed by the initiative had a positive effect in Beijing.

2007

Aid in a civil lawsuit to compensate victims of illegal brickworks. The initiative was critical of the destruction of the Zhongguancun district. The Initiative Launches Further Investigation into the 1997 Death of Yang Hua Cheng Peng Hideko at Xiuwu Detention Center; the detention staff should be responsible for this. Various civic activities were taken.

2008

The victims of the melanin-milk scandal received legal aid and legal assistance. Promote direct elections within the Beijing Bar Association. Awarding of a citizen's prize to promote civil courage and civic responsibility.

2009

Publication of an investigation report on the causes of the 3.14 incident in Tibet. Victims of the melanin milk scandal continued to receive support from the Gongmeng initiative. The initiative is critical of the forced psychiatric treatment of the mentally handicapped. Legal aid and legal assistance in the Deng Yujiao murder case. Organization of a workshop on laws and rights. Legal aid for petitioners and victims of black prisons. Organization of a residents' committee election and holding a symposium on Green Dam .

See also

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Yaxue Cao, who is Xu Zhiong (1) , April 10, 2014. Retrieved on January 1, 2017
  2. ^ Sophie Beach, Chinese rule-of-law website shut down (AFP) , China Digital Times, June 7, 2004, accessed December 19, 2016
  3. ↑ a b John Garnaut, Chinese tell of Tibet failures , The Age, May 22nd 2009, retrieved on December 8, 2016
  4. ↑ EDITORIAL: The KMT and Chinese democracy , Taipei Times, May 23, 2009, accessed December 19, 2016
  5. ↑ Malcolm Moore, Chinese report on Tibet reveals the roots of unrest , The Telegraph, May 22, 2009, accessed December 19, 2016
  6. ↑ Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau, Prohibition of “Public Union Law Research Center” ( memento of July 20, 2009 in the Internet Archive ), gongmeng.cn, July 17, 2009, accessed December 19, 2016
  7. ↑ a b Ding Xiao, Lawyer Released, Assistant 'Missing' , Radio Free Asia, August 24, 2009, accessed December 19, 2016
  8. ↑ Michael Wines, Chinese Public-Interest Lawyer Charged Amid Crackdown , New York Times, August 18, 2009, accessed December 19, 2016
  9. ↑ Tania Brainigan, Assistant to pioneering Chinese rights lawyer Disappears', The Guardian, 21 August 2009, accessed on December 19, 2016
  10. ↑ a b 北京市 公安局 取消 公 盟 涉嫌 偷税 案 许志永 解除 取保候审 , Radio Free Asia, August 23, 2010, accessed December 19, 2016
  11. ^ Wave of arrests in China , Asia House Foundation, accessed on December 26, 2016
  12. ^ Li Yuwen: NGOs in China and Europe, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. 2013, ISBN 9781409497523 , p. 63.
  13. ↑ a b c d e f g Teng Biao, 这 六年 ， 公 盟 做 了 什么？ , Boxun News Network, accessed January 2, 2017