The Worst of the Worst 2010 - China (The People's Republic of China)

Population: 1,331,398,000
Capital: Beijing

Political Rights: 7
Civil Liberties: 6
Status: Not Free

2009 Key Developments: The Chinese government, aiming to suppress citizen activism and protests during politically sensitive anniversaries in 2009, resorted to lockdowns on major cities, new restrictions on the internet, and a renewed campaign against democracy activists, human rights lawyers, and religious minorities. These measures were intensified in the northwestern region of Xinjiang, especially after ethnic violence erupted there in July. Nevertheless, many citizens defied government hostility and asserted their rights to free expression and association.

Political Rights: China is not an electoral democracy. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) possesses a monopoly on political power; its nine-member Politburo Standing Committee makes most key political decisions and sets government policy. A 3,000-member National People's Congress is, in principle, China's parliament, but it remains subordinate to the party. The only competitive elections are for village committees and urban residency councils, but these are often closely controlled by local party branches, whose role includes vetting candidates. Opposition groups are suppressed, and activists publicly calling for reform of the one-party political system risk arrest and imprisonment. Prominent democracy advocate Liu Xiaobo was sentenced in December 2009 to 11 years in prison for his involvement in drafting and circulating Charter 08, a proposal promoting political reform and democratization in China. Tens of thousands of others are thought to be held in prisons and extrajudicial forms of detention for their political or religious views. Despite thousands of prosecutions launched each year and new regulations on open government, corruption remains endemic, particularly at the local level.

Civil Liberties: Freedom of the press remains extremely restricted, particularly on topics deemed sensitive by the CCP. During the year, the authorities sought to tighten control over journalists and internet portals, while employing more sophisticated techniques to manipulate the content circulated via these media. Journalists who do not adhere to party dictates are harassed, fired or jailed. In 2009, China was home to the largest number of internet users globally. The government maintains an elaborate apparatus for censoring and monitoring internet use, including personal communications, frequently blocking websites it deems politically threatening. Religious freedom is sharply restricted, particularly for members of unauthorized religious groups. Some groups, such as Falun Gong, are formally outlawed, and their members risk harassment, imprisonment, and torture. Freedoms of assembly and association are severely curtailed. Security agencies and hired thugs often use excessive force to put down demonstrations; in several instances during 2009, this drove protesters to violently attack symbols of authority, such as police cars and government buildings. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are required to register and follow strict regulations, including vague prohibitions on advocating non-CCP rule, "damaging national unity," or "upsetting ethnic harmony." The only legal labor union is government controlled. Collective bargaining is legal but does not occur in practice, and independent labor leaders are harassed and jailed. The CCP controls the judiciary and directs verdicts and sentences, particularly in politically sensitive cases. Torture remains widespread, with coerced confessions routinely admitted as evidence. In the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, political indoctrination programs, curbs on Muslim religious practice, and policies marginalizing the use of the Uighur language in education intensified throughout 2009. Serious violations of women's rights continue, including domestic violence, human trafficking, and the use of coercive methods to enforce the one-child policy.