Risky Business: Chinese Lawyers Fighting for Rights
Simple Justice:
In the broader scheme of things, American lawyers risk little by taking bold stands on issue of civil rights. Singapore is riskier, but only if you call a judge a prostitute. But as this New York Times article shows, Chinese lawyers have it tough.
BEIJING — Two prominent human rights lawyers have lost their licenses after volunteering to defend Tibetans charged in the violent anti-China protests that erupted in March. The decision comes as Chinese authorities are tightening scrutiny over dissidents in advance of the Olympics in August.
The two lawyers, Teng Biao and Jiang Tianyong, are known for taking on politically contentious cases, including those alleging official abuses of human rights. Reached on Tuesday night, Mr. Teng said he learned last week that judicial authorities had renewed the license of every lawyer in his firm, except his own.
Having done some cross-border work involving lawyers in China, most…