Beijing Olympics

Human rights in China and the Beijing Olympics

With Beijing hosting 2008's Olympic Games, Amnesty International hoped the event could create a positive human rights legacy for China. The Chinese authorities pledged that human rights would improve through the hosting of the Games. Amnesty International held them to their word.

We monitored China's human rights performance, particularly in areas linked to preparations for the Olympics. We judged their progress and informed the world.

Our aim was to assess the impact of the Games on human rights in China, to highlight important related issues and to get the world involved.

Featured Issues
News and Updates

Featured Issues

Criminals sentenced to death during an open trial in Zhuzhou, central China's Hunan province December 2006

Stop executions

Amnesty International believes there is likely to have been a significant drop in executions since the Supreme People’s Court review for all death sentences was restored in January 2007.

Police detain a Falun Gong protester in Tiananmen Square as a crowd watches in Beijing Oct. 1, 2000

Respect the rights of activists

As the Olympics approached, human rights activists in China faced serious risk of abuse.

Chinese police raid an illegal Internet cafe in the southern city of Guangzhou, 20 June 2002

Freedom from censorship

In 2001, when Beijing was chosen to host the 2008 Olympics, the Chinese government promised “no restrictions on media reporting and movement of journalists up to and including the Olympic Games.

Patients at the Kunming Municipal Compulsory Rehabilitation Centre receive anti-drug education, July 2005

Fair trials for all

In May 2006, Beijing extended use of a system of detention without trial called Re-education Through Labour, to "clean up" the city’s image before the Olympics.