China 'Jasmine Revolution' Crackdown Nabs Over 20 Dissidents And Human Rights Advocates

Matt Palmer
SOC 202
4/1/11

China 'Jasmine Revolution' Crackdown Nabs Over 20 Dissidents And Human Rights Advocates

China, not known for its record of standing up for human rights, has been cracking down on dissenters and activists, with more severity than has been seen in a decade. Several prominent lawyers, as well as others, have disappeared. Others have been arrested for "incitement to subversion" or "creating a disturbance." It seems those missing have been critical of government policy on online venues like Twitter, or simply have a history of political dissidence.

There is a connection between these arrests and the recent (fairly small) protests that have been taking place in China as a response to the recent government upheavals in several Middle Eastern countries. Clearly the Chinese government is aware of the connection, and have been more diligent in silencing protest. While I'm not familiar enough with Chinese culture to gauge this, it seems that the more the government pushes back, the more stress there will be on the Chinese people.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/31/china-crackdown-on-activists-arrests-disappearances