People's Republic of China: State secrets - a pretext for repression

Dozens of people, including prisoners of conscience, have been detained in China on charges related to "state secrets" since a law to "protect state secrets" was introduced in 1988. Some have by now been released, but others are still jailed, including journalists. Amnesty International is concerned that the legislation on state secrets is being used to prevent public debate of issues which have little to do with national security and to jail people for the non-violent and legitimate exercise of their right to freedom of expression and association. It is also concerned that those charged with state secrets offences face unfair judicial procedures.