ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the declaration on Civil Rights and Freedoms, many of the statements, appeals published by Chinese citizens during the 1990s take up economic, social, and environmental rights, addressing many of the social and economic problems with which workers and peasants are struggling. Today, what the Chinese people are most lacking, and thus most urgently need to establish protections for, is precisely our individual civil freedoms. Up until today, China's rulers continue to suppress such liberties and civil rights as the freedoms of expression, publication, assembly, association, procession, and demonstration. The China's rulers have not halted their suppression of the freedoms of religion and belief. They ban unofficial religious organizations and religious activities, use trumped-up charges to persecute religious dissidents, threaten and intimidate followers of independent churches. The arbitrary attitude of China's rulers toward freedom of religion and belief demonstrates not only their ignorance, but also their hatred of the free spirit of humanity.
