As China declares victory over the pandemic, the landmark protests in November which spelled the end for zero-Covid rules have begun fading from memory. But as the country moves on, many who took part in the demonstrations are missing, taken by authorities in a quietly deepening crackdown on dissenters. Thousands rallied against restrictive Covid policies in White Paper protests, holding up blank white sheets in a rare show of criticism of the Communist Party and its leader Xi Jinping. Police made few arrests at the time. Now, months later, scores of those protesters are in police custody, say Chinese activists. International rights groups and foreign universities have called for their release. Activist groups have published lists naming the detainees from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Nanjing protests. Many prisoners are well-educated; some attended universities in the UK and America. They include writers, journalists, a musician, a teacher and a financial industry professional.
China: demonstrators disappear
Written by David Fletcher 23 Feb 2023Additional Info
- Pray: for the voices of human rights groups and educational institutions to be heard as they call for the release of all missing people and generate growing international concern. (Isaiah 30:18)
- More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-64592333
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