ABSTRACT
In early 1957, a political thaw began to develop in China. During a few weeks in May of 1957, this political thaw culminated with speeches, wall posters, and heated discussions on issues ranging from administrative problems and bureaucratism to the paramo untcy of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in political affairs. The criticisms by those who would soon be labeled "rightists" touched both upon systemic failures, such as the lack of democracy and rule of law, and on the actual execution of specific policies and the heavy-handedness of certain cadres. The language of human rights was invoked in connection with discussions of the constitution and the legal system. The constitution of 1954 stipulated protection for the freedom of the person, as well as rights such as those of residence and correspondence, but since the constitution has been ignored and incidents of human rights abuse have increased.
