Human Rights in China
Professional services
UnclaimedAn international nongovernmental organization that documents, analyzes, and advocates for human rights and fundamental freedoms in China.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Human Rights in China (HRIC) is an international nongovernmental organization focused on human rights and fundamental freedoms in the People's Republic of China. Founded in March 1989 by Chinese students and scholars, the organization developed in the context of the 1989 democracy movement and has continued to combine documentation, public advocacy, legal and policy analysis, and support for individuals and civil-society actors confronting rights violations. HRIC is headquartered in New York City and has also maintained an office in Hong Kong. Its work is directed at both domestic and international audiences. The organization publishes reports, briefings, translations, legal materials, and other resources concerning civil and political rights, labor and economic rights, ethnic and religious minorities, women, children, rural communities, migrant workers, and people subjected to arbitrary detention or other forms of state pressure. It has also examined the relationship between technology, surveillance, censorship, and the exercise of rights in China. A central part of HRIC's domestic-advocacy work is assistance to activists and other individuals in China, including legal support, information sharing, and connections with international human-rights institutions. The organization has supported efforts by the Tiananmen Mothers to obtain an official reassessment of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre. Its June 4 Archive preserves documentation about the events and their aftermath, while the Fill the Square initiative has promoted the Tiananmen Mothers' demands through online advocacy. Internationally, HRIC submits information and alleged cases of abuse to United Nations mechanisms and engages with governments, intergovernmental bodies, and policy forums, including European Union-China discussions and World Trade Organization-related processes. The organization has also developed recommendations for information-technology companies operating in China, particularly concerning censorship, surveillance, and the handling of user data. Earlier online projects included a proxy service intended to help users in China bypass internet censorship, as well as Chinese-language and bilingual publications. HRIC describes its approach as independent and non-political. It is a member organization of the International Federation for Human Rights. Its funding has come from private foundations and individual donors, with historical support reported from organizations including the National Endowment for Democracy, the Open Society Institute, the International Center for Human Rights and Democratic Development, the European Human Rights Foundation, Human Rights Watch, and Asia Watch. In partnership with New York University School of Law, HRIC hosts the Robert L. Bernstein Fellowship in International Human Rights. The organization received recognition in 2005 as a Tech Award laureate for its use of technology in human-rights work. Its executive director from 2002 to 2023 was Sharon Hom; Zhou Fengsuo has served as executive director since 2023. HRIC remains an advocacy and information organization rather than a commercial consumer brand, with its principal outputs consisting of research, case advocacy, translations, digital archives, policy interventions, and public campaigns.
History
Human Rights in China was established in March 1989 by Chinese students and scholars. Its origins placed the organization close to the issues raised by China's 1989 democracy movement, but its stated institutional orientation has been independent and non-political. From the beginning, HRIC's purpose was to collect and disseminate information about human-rights conditions in China and to support people facing rights violations. During the 1990s and 2000s, HRIC expanded from documentation into a broad international advocacy model. It prepared reports and briefings for policymakers, international institutions, and civil-society organizations; supported individual cases; and brought alleged abuses to United Nations mechanisms. By 2006, the organization had submitted more than 40 alleged cases to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. The reference material states that 13 of those cases produced decisions and that each decision characterized the detention as arbitrary. HRIC's work has covered both individual and structural concerns. Its subject areas have included the treatment of activists, rural residents, migrant workers, ethnic minorities, women, children, and people subjected to administrative or criminal detention. In addition to case advocacy, it has addressed legal, technological, and administrative reform. It has translated selected laws and regulations from mainland China and Hong Kong to make legal information more accessible to civil-society actors and international researchers. The organization has maintained a particularly visible role in preserving and internationalizing discussion of the 1989 Tiananmen protests and massacre. HRIC has supported the Tiananmen Mothers, advocated for an official reassessment of the events, and created the online June 4 Archive. The Fill the Square project provided an additional digital channel for expressing support for the Tiananmen Mothers' demands. Digital communication became another important part of HRIC's operating model. The organization operated a proxy service intended to help users in China circumvent the Great Firewall and developed online Chinese-language advocacy resources. It has also published periodic and bilingual material, including the China Rights Forum and a biweekly Chinese journal. These activities connected documentation and advocacy with practical efforts to improve access to information. International engagement has included submissions and briefings to United Nations bodies, participation in international conferences, and involvement in discussions involving the European Union, China, and trade-policy institutions. HRIC has also addressed the responsibilities of technology companies operating in China, outlining concerns and recommended practices relating to censorship, surveillance, and information technology. HRIC has offices in New York City and Hong Kong and belongs to the International Federation for Human Rights. Its funding model is based on private foundations and individual donors. Historical supporters identified in reference material include the National Endowment for Democracy, Open Society Institute, the International Center for Human Rights and Democratic Development, the European Human Rights Foundation, Human Rights Watch, and Asia Watch. In 2005, HRIC received Tech Award laureate recognition for its use of technology. In 2006, New York University School of Law established the Robert L. Bernstein Fellowship in International Human Rights in partnership with HRIC. Leadership has included Xiao Qiang, who served as executive director from 1991 to 2002, Sharon Hom from 2002 to 2023, and Zhou Fengsuo from 2023 onward. The supplied reference material additionally reports that Chinese authorities sanctioned the organization in July 2026, alleging support for the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. HRIC's continuing identity is that of an international rights organization whose principal outputs are research, legal and policy analysis, individual advocacy, public campaigns, translations, and digital information resources.
- 2023
Zhou Fengsuo becomes executive director
[1]Zhou Fengsuo succeeded Sharon Hom as executive director.
- 2006
Robert L. Bernstein Fellowship established
[1]New York University School of Law established the Robert L. Bernstein Fellowship in International Human Rights in partnership with HRIC.
- 2005
Tech Award laureate recognition
[1]HRIC was recognized for using technology in support of human-rights work.
- 2002
Sharon Hom becomes executive director
[1]Sharon Hom succeeded Xiao Qiang and led the organization through 2023.
- 1991
Xiao Qiang becomes executive director
[1]Xiao Qiang began a tenure as executive director that continued until 2002.
- 1989
Organization founded
[1]Chinese students and scholars established Human Rights in China in March 1989 to document and advocate around human-rights conditions in China.
Products and positioning
Independent international human-rights organization specializing in research, documentation, individual advocacy, policy engagement, and digital access related to human rights in China.
Research and advocacy publications
Human-rights reports and briefings
HRIC produces reports, briefings, case materials, and policy analysis on human-rights conditions in China. Topics have included arbitrary detention, minority rights, labor and migration, rural communities, women, children, technology, surveillance, and legal reform. These materials are intended for affected communities, researchers, policymakers, international institutions, and civil-society organizations.
Digital archive
June 4 Archive
The June 4 Archive is an online documentation project concerning the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre. It supports historical preservation and public access to information that remains politically sensitive and restricted in mainland China.
Online advocacy
Fill the Square
Fill the Square is an online petition and advocacy initiative supporting the demands of the Tiananmen Mothers, including a reassessment of the 1989 protests and massacre. It connects digital participation with HRIC's broader campaign for accountability and historical recognition.
Bilingual journal
China Rights Forum
China Rights Forum is a bilingual publication associated with HRIC that presents analysis, documentation, and commentary on human-rights developments and policy questions involving China.
Fellowship program · 2006
Robert L. Bernstein Fellowship in International Human Rights
Established in partnership with New York University School of Law, the fellowship supports work in international human rights and provides a structured connection between legal education, research, and advocacy through HRIC.
Marketing campaigns
- Support for the Tiananmen Mothers
China · International
HRIC supports the Tiananmen Mothers' efforts to obtain an official reassessment of the 1989 Tiananmen protests and massacre, including through documentation, international advocacy, and digital outreach.
Outcome. The campaign has maintained international visibility for the families' demands, but the reference material does not report an official reassessment by Chinese authorities.
- Fill the Square
China · International
An online petition initiative expressing support for the Tiananmen Mothers and their demands concerning truth, accountability, and recognition.
Outcome. The source material describes the initiative but does not provide a quantified result or final outcome.
- Internet freedom and anti-censorship access
China · International
HRIC operated a proxy server and online Chinese-language resources intended to help people in China access information and advocacy material despite internet filtering.
Outcome. The reference material confirms the activity but does not specify its duration, reach, or current operational status.
Brand decisions
- Adopt an independent, non-political advocacy approachStrategy
Background
HRIC operates in the politically sensitive field of human rights in China and has been described as maintaining an independent and non-political approach.
Action taken
The organization combines documentation, individual advocacy, legal analysis, public education, and international policy engagement rather than presenting itself as a political party or government-affiliated body.
Aftermath
This positioning has allowed HRIC to work across research, case advocacy, international institutions, and civil-society networks.
Sources2 sources
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