Over 30 leading human rights organizations and NGOs have issued a strong call to the United Nations and international governments to address ongoing human rights abuses by Chinese officials against lawyers and legal activists. This plea highlights a systemic repression that has significantly muted expressions of dissent and eroded legal protections within the nation.

The coalition, which includes Amnesty International, has cited a severe decline in the legal community's ability to operate freely and without fear of reprisal. The crackdown, often referred to as the "709 Crackdown," began on July 9, 2015, and has since seen approximately 300 legal professionals detained, many of whom faced torture, severe prison sentences, or forced disappearances. Prominent figures such as lawyers Wang Quanzhang and Gao Zhisheng have been subject to harsh penalties for their outspoken views against the state's overreach.

In their public statement, the groups emphasized the chilling effect these actions have had on any opposition to the Chinese government's tactics, which include allegations of crimes against humanity and other human rights violations. The organizations are urging the establishment of a dedicated UN mechanism to closely monitor and report on the human rights situation in China.

Following the 2015 crackdown, the Chinese government instituted stringent regulations that increased its control over law firms and the legal profession. Notably, these changes have led to 46 lawyers being sanctioned or stripped of their licenses to practice, further crippling the legal profession’s independence.

Margaret Satterthwaite, an independent investigator for the UN, has issued inquiries to the Chinese government regarding these practices, but responses have been minimal or dismissive. In one communication, the Chinese Mission to the UN stated that China values the role of lawyers but insisted that those who breach the law are justly penalized in line with legal principles.

The call by human rights organizations for international intervention underscores the global concern over China’s undermining of legal norms and human rights protections. As these organizations rally support, the world watches to see if international pressure can influence China to amend its oppressive practices against its legal defenders.