In a groundbreaking move, The Rights Practice has unveiled a new toolkit designed to assist researchers, activists, and NGOs based outside China in their efforts to investigate human rights issues within the country. Titled “A Toolkit for Civil Society: Monitoring Human Rights in China,” this comprehensive resource brings together a wealth of high-quality materials in a format specifically tailored to address the unique challenges faced in China.
The necessity for remote monitoring of human rights in China has grown increasingly urgent in recent years. Following the ‘709’ Crackdown on Chinese rights lawyers and defenders in July 2015, the space for domestic civil society to engage in human rights work has dwindled significantly. Moreover, access to crucial information has been severely curtailed, making it increasingly difficult for international researchers to travel to China for investigative purposes, particularly in relation to politically sensitive issues. The regions of Uyghur and Tibet, where grave human rights abuses are reportedly taking place, have become almost entirely off-limits to most investigators.
This toolkit is poised to provide invaluable guidance and introduce innovative tools for monitoring human rights violations in China. It includes detailed instructions on research methodology, effective planning strategies, as well as sections on fortifying resilience and ensuring robust physical and digital security. The resource also features a wide array of primary and secondary sources in both Chinese and English to bolster research endeavors. Each chapter is rich with references to key tools and further reading materials.
In a statement, The Rights Practice emphasized that this toolkit is a dynamic document continually open to feedback and suggestions for enhancement. It stands as a crucial resource for individuals and organizations committed to shedding light on human rights abuses in China.
Published on the 6th of June, 2024, and crafted by the esteemed author Imogen Rogerson Costello, this toolkit signifies a significant step forward in the quest for transparency and accountability in the realm of human rights research.
