The Human Rights Crisis in China: A 2024 Outlook
In 2024, the landscape of human rights in China continued to reflect an alarming trend of repression under the Xi Jinping administration. The Xi government’s actions throughout the year demonstrated a systematic approach to curtailing freedoms, stifling dissent, and reinforcing the party’s grip on power. As observed in the recent Human Rights Watch (HRW) World Report 2025, the actions taken by the Chinese authorities have put a spotlight on the extensive violation of human rights across the nation.
Systematic Suppression of Freedoms
The HRW report offered a critical analysis of the oppressive climate in China, particularly focusing on the crucial areas of freedom of expression and religious freedoms. Maya Wang, HRW’s Associate China Director, encapsulated the situation by asserting that “the Chinese government has maintained a chokehold over the country throughout 2024.” This repression extended to a wide spectrum of civil rights defenders, journalists, and ordinary citizens who dared to voice their concerns.
One notable case was that of women’s rights activist Li Qiaochu, who was sentenced to nearly four years in prison in March for her comments regarding the detention conditions faced by fellow activist Xu Zhiyong. This act underscored the chilling effect of the government’s crackdown on dissent, where even the slightest criticism could lead to severe punitive measures.
Tormented Minorities: Tibet and Xinjiang
The HRW report highlights the particularly harsh treatment of ethnic minorities in regions such as Tibet and Xinjiang. The Chinese government’s view of Tibetans and Uyghurs as threats has led to extreme levels of repression. Hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs are currently imprisoned, their plight constituting what has been described as crimes against humanity. In Xinjiang, prisoners remain without due process, swept up in the government’s sweeping “Strike Hard Campaign,” which targets those perceived as oppositional to the state’s objectives.
The conditions in Tibet are equally dire, with intensified control over information and repressive actions against public protests. For example, during protests in Derge County, Sichuan in early 2024, hundreds of monks and villagers were detained after raising concerns against a hydroelectric dam project that threatened to inundate historic monasteries and local communities.
The Erosion of Civil Liberties in Hong Kong
Simultaneously, the erosion of civil liberties in Hong Kong has taken a worrying turn. The government has expanded police powers and redefined laws under the National Security Law and the newly introduced Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO). Peaceful political activities have been criminalized, while media freedoms have been stifled. High-profile cases, like that of media mogul Jimmy Lai, who has been in solitary confinement during his ongoing trial, exemplify the crackdown on journalism and dissent in Hong Kong.
Since the 2019 pro-democracy protests, police actions have escalated, with a reported over 10,000 arrests for various offenses, including non-violent protests. The Hong Kong Journalist Association has faced relentless harassment, with several media organizations forced to shut down their operations.
International Responses and Industry Complicity
International bodies have begun to respond to the human rights crisis in China with growing urgency. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act has been enacted in the United States, leading to the blocking of $750 million worth of goods tied to forced labor in Xinjiang. Similarly, the European Union has taken steps to prevent the import and export of goods associated with forced labor practices.
However, reports indicate that various global companies have unwittingly contributed to supply chains that exploit Uyghur forced labor, with significant implications for industries such as automotive, solar energy, and textiles. Such systemic issues challenge consumers and businesses alike to confront the glaring human rights abuses underpinning their supply chains.
A Call to Action
The Xi administration has established a tighter grip on power, where dissent is swiftly quashed, and human rights defenders are relentlessly persecuted. The absence of independent civil society and the systematic violation of fundamental rights highlight the dire need for the international community to hold Beijing accountable for its transgressions.
As the HRW report underscores the worsening conditions faced by ordinary Chinese citizens and marginalized groups, there is an increasing call for foreign governments to confront China’s deteriorating human rights record. The global community’s engagement is crucial in the quest for justice and accountability, with a focus on the well-being of those who remain undeterred in the fight for freedom and dignity within a repressive regime.
Through concerted international efforts, there remains the hope for change in the human rights landscape of China—a change that must prioritize respect for individual freedoms and the protection of marginalized communities.