Wednesday, February 19th, 2025

Human Rights Watch slams China’s expansionist guidelines that criminalize Taiwan’s bid for independence


After China issued new legal guidelines threatening Taiwan’s autonomy, authorities have now once again attempted to threaten Taiwan’s existence.

According to the latest judicial guidelines implemented by China, crimes committed by Taiwanese separatists are punishable under Chinese law.

According to Human Rights Watch (HRW) report, these guidelines allow for trial in absentia, and even death penalty, against anyone claiming Taiwan’s independence.

The move comes at a time when China is aggressively pursuing its expansionist policies in Taiwan, even though it has no jurisdiction over Taiwan and the Chinese people have never ruled Taiwan since its establishment in 1949.

Commenting on the Chinese guidelines in question, the HRW report said, “The guidelines regarding Taiwanese separatists are a stark reminder that the Chinese government routinely intimidates Taiwan and its 23 million inhabitants and has expanded its aggressive efforts to suppress their fundamental freedoms.”

Previously, China’s 2005 Anti-Separatist Law contained vague threats to use other measures against Taiwanese separatist forces, but did not specify what the separatists were.

However, existing laws label all activities related to Taiwan independence as a crime, including anything related to Taiwan’s independence, including the establishment of an independent Taiwan, establishing a separatist organization, promoting Taiwan’s entry into international organizations, and deviating from the Chinese narrative of Taiwan in areas such as education, culture, history or news media, the HRW report claimed.

According to the HRW report, “Other widespread crimes include trying to separate Taiwan from China and actively participating in Taiwanese separatist organizations.”

Additionally, these guidelines also threaten Taiwanese people with trial in absentia, which calls for criminal prosecutions to be conducted without the accused individual’s presence in court, with no limit on the punishment that can be given to the accused, and no distinction between Taiwanese and foreign nationals.

The Chinese government carries out the most executions in the world, although the exact number remains a state secret. However, HRW has always opposed the death penalty in all circumstances because of its inherent cruelty.

As a result, Taiwan has raised its alert level for Taiwanese citizens traveling to China, citing recent cases of arbitrary arrests, detentions, and interrogations by China. The HRW report also states that these new guidelines are likely to pose even greater risks to the approximately 150,000 Taiwanese citizens living in China, for whom self-censorship is common.

In conclusion, HRW noted that “the new court guidelines are the latest attempt by the Chinese government to restrict the freedom of expression of people beyond its borders. Everyone has fundamental rights and freedoms, including those who believe in or advocate Taiwan independence.”



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