| Media reports and details received by the China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group (CHRLCG) suggest that a number of lawyers in Beijing haven’t received the annual registration of their legal practice licenses, although the deadline is May 31. Some lawyers in Shaanxi, Shandong and Guangdong provinces have similar problems. We believe the problems arise because these lawyers expressed a willingness to provide legal assistance to Tibetan defendants after the “Tibet incident” in March.
Meanwhile, the 10th Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress passed amendments to the Law on Lawyers to be implemented on June 1. There have been improvements, but some provisions still pose a serious threat. For example, a lawyer’s criticism of the government in court could be considered endangering state security and trigger prosecution.
China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group
Hong Kong
(May 29, 2008)
ARCHIVES |
