In the open letter dated 28 February 2008, the Tiananmen Mothers urged the National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which are scheduled to meet in early March 2008, to have direct dialogue between the government, victims and their families. It also renews calls for action made since 1995: an investigation of the June 4th crackdown in 1989; public apology and compensation; and accountability of those responsible.

The Mothers also expressed their deep disappointment that their requests, “year after year, have come to nothing." Since last year's open letter, 3 more members of the Tiananmen Mothers have passed away, bringing the total to 17 family members and supporters who have passed away without any redress or official response.

Through UA000523(7), Hotline Asia supported the mothers’ call for an investigation into the June Fourth Massacre. If you wish to add your support, please visit www.fillthesquare.org.

Source:
Human Rights in China

According to the Annual Report of Justice and Peace Commission of Hong Kong Catholic Diocese (HKJP) published in December 2007, it is encouraging to learn that Ding Zilin was allowed to pay respect to her son at Muxidi, where her son was killed by the authorities in the June Fourth Massacre in 1989. The Commission believes that such little gesture is the result of continuous support and concern towards the issue.

Hotline Asia issued UA000523(7) in 2000 to solicit further support for the struggle of the Tiananmen Mothers. 

Source:
Justice and Peace Commission of Hong Kong Catholic Diocese

For the first time, Ms. Ding Zilin and more than 20 other members of the Tiananmen Mothers held a roundtable discussion on 24 and 26 May 2007 to commemorate the anniversary of the June Fourth Massacre.

In its transcript, the mothers relate their personal experiences and eyewitness accounts of the crackdown, and refute the claims of Hong Kong-based pro-Beijing political leader Ma Lik that "no one was killed at the Square." Secondly, members of the group, including one who is physically handicapped, describe ongoing harassment and monitoring over the years. In the last two sections of the transcript, the Tiananmen Mothers advocate for peacefully and rationally striving their rights and gradually resolving the June 4th issue. They reiterate the three demands they have repeated over the past years: publish the truth; offer apology and compensation; and pursue the administration of justice. Regarding compensation, members of the group reiterate that they are willing to accept some form of living allowance, but not if there are conditions attached, such as not speaking out in the future.

In UA000523(7), Hotline Asia supported the mothers’ call for an investigation into the June Fourth Massacre.

A full transcript is available at here.<Chinese only> 

Source:
Human Rights in China

The "Tiananmen Mothers", 128 relatives of the victims of the June 4th Massacre, released an open letter in late February, calling on the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC) to remove the June 4th Massacre from the "off limits zone" of discussion in their annual meeting in early March.

Apart from the three basic demands: a fresh investigation into the incident, a public accounting and appropriate restitution, and prosecution of those responsible, the "Tiananmen Mothers" also urges the government to lift its ban on three books which provide first-hand accounts of the June 4th Massacre and its ramifications.

Despite the Mothers' continuous effort, their demand is yet to be addressed by the authorities. In 2000, Hotline Asia issued UA000523(7) to solicit more support for their struggle.

Source:
Human Rights in China

In the open letter dated 28 May 2006, the Tiananmen Mothers urged gradual moves to bring justice to the victims, including apologies and the payment of compensation. It also asked the government to end surveillance and other limits on the personal freedom of relatives, such as collecting donations.

Chinese courts have refused to act on a lawsuit filed by the Tiananmen Mothers demanding government leaders be held responsible for ordering the crackdown. However, an activist revealed that in April, the government paid 70,000 yuan (US 8,745) in “hardship” compensation to the mother of a 15-year-old boy beaten to death by police during the crackdown in 1989.

In UA000523(7), Hotline Asia supported the mothers’ call for an investigation into the June Fourth Massacre. Please add your support by visiting www.tmc-hk.org, an on-line campaign by the Tiananmen Mothers Campaign, a network of individuals and organizations in support of the mothers.

A summary of the open letters in English can be found at here.

Full text of the open letter (Simplified Chinese version only) can be found at here.

Source:
Justice and Peace Commission of Hong Kong Catholic Diocese

To make their voice heard, the campaign has produced a video CD documenting the Mothers’ struggles with testimonials. Another round of postcard campaign has also started, calling the authorities to listen to the mothers’ voice.

In 2000, Hotline Asia supported the Tiananmen Mothers by issuing UA000523(7), which pleads the Chinese authorities to investigate the June FourthMassacre.

Source:
Justice and Peace Commission of Hong Kong Catholic Diocese

Ms. Ding Zilin and more than 100 A Campaign for Justice: An Outcry from Tiananmen Mothers

In March 2006, the Tiananmen Mothers have started an on-line signature campaign calling on the government to allow the relatives of the 1989 Tiananmen Square victims to pay respect openly.

The e-petition urged the government to grant the victims' family the right to pay respect openly according to traditions based on humanitarian consideration - the tremendous pain they have experienced and the fact that some of them are already in old age. To support the campaign, please go to http://tmc-hk.org (Chinese only)

In 2000, Hotline Asia issued UA000523(7) to call for the support of the victims family of June 4th Massacre and request the authorities to conduct investigation into those who were responsible for the violence on 4 June 1989.

Source:
Tiananmen Mothers Campaign

Ms. Ding Zilin and more than 100 other family members of people killed or injured in the June Fourth massacre had written an open letter to the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in February 2005.

In the letter, they once again pressed three demands: 1) a new official investigation into the events of June 1989; 2) legal redress and compensation for the victims and their families; and 3) inquiries by the procuratorate to establish official accountability for June Fourth.

In May 2000, Hotline Asia issued UA000523(7) to support the Tiananmen Mothers' Group. The Group has continuously asked the authorities to carry out an investigation, and account for the June Forth massacre in 1989.

Source:
Human Rights in China

On the 15th anniversary of the June 4th massacre, the Chinese Foreign Ministry had indicated that the authorities have no intention of revisiting the government's handling of the military crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in 1989. Police task force had kept students and political dissidents under strict surveillance during the run-up.

However, Ms. Ding Zilin, the leader of Tiananmen Mothers who was kept under residential arrest during the run up, is still hopeful. She is convinced that the Tiananmen Mothers took the correct path by advocating rational and peaceful dialogue with the government to resolve the dead-lock over June 4th.

In support of the Tiananmen Mothers' Group, Hotline Asia joined the "Mother Campaign" and issued UA000523(7) requesting the Chinese government to institute an investigation into the criminal acts committed by the armed forces during the crackdown.

Source:
South China Morning Post

Despite the apparent softening of the government's stance on June Fourth massacre in the PRC, many affected families are still suffering from much mental pressure caused by the loss of their relatives or jobs. Many have not yet received justice, particularly the victims' families who have continued to peacefully and non-violently urge the Chinese Government to provide accountability and justice in the spirit of dialogue under the rule of law since the massacre. In late March, 3 Tianamen Mothers (a group supporting families and victims of June Fourth Massacre) including prominent leader Ms. Ding Zilin were detained by security agents, for receiving t-shirts that allegedly endanger state security. Although they were eventually released, Ms. Ding is currently under house arrest. Furthermore, local sources were informed that Ms. Ding has been officially notified that "Under the present regime there will be no resolution of the June Fourth question."

The coming 4 June 2004 will mark the 15th anniversary of the June Fourth massacre, where hundreds of students who were demonstrating and expressing their opinions peacefully, were violently suppressed by the People's Liberation Army in Beijing in 1989. The Tiananmen Mothers are again calling for solidarity to urge the Chinese government to recognize their mis-handling of the incident.

Please send such request to rmrb@peopledaily.com.cn of the China People's Daily.

Information on the past efforts of the Tiananmen Mothers can be found in UA000523(7) and Human Rights in China.

Source:
Tiananmen Mother's Movement, South China Morning Post

The delegates to the Second Congress of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) - a federation of human rights organizations concerned about involuntary disappearances in Asia - have expressed concern regarding those who disappeared or died during the 1989 June Forth Massacre in Beijing, China. The Tiananmen Mothers Campaign has been part of AFAD since October 2002.

Since the June Forth massacre in 1989, the victims' families have continued to peacefully and non-violently urge the Chinese Government to provide accountability and justice in the spirit of dialogue under the rule of law. Since 1995 some of the victims' families have issued open letters and submitted evidence to the Supreme People's Procuratorate every year. In May 2000, Hotline issued UA000523(7) to support the group's efforts but their demands continue to be ignored.

The following is an excerpt from the resolution of the AFAD Congress held on 26-30 August 2003. The letter, reiterating the demands of the Tiananmen Mothers, will be sent to President Hu Jintao, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and the Head of the Judiciary Department Jia Chunwang on the Chinese National Day, 1 October 2003.

"We, the AFAD Second Congress delegates coming from 8 organizations in 7 Asian countries, who are combating the problem involuntary disappearances, urge the People's Republic of China to set up an independent agency to investigate the crime, to hold accountable the perpetrators of the massacre and to give justice to the victims' families. In so doing, this would show to the world a New China, a country which is open and democratic and is willing to undergo a process of genuine reconciliation through justice to victims of human rights violations. As we urge the Chinese government to dialogue openly with the victims' families, we also fully support their following demands: a) Set up an independent committee under the National People's Congress (NPC) to fairly and independently investigate the whole massacre. Publicize the result / report of the investigation including the number and the detailed list of victims (killed, injured and disappeared). b) The authority should explain to every victim's family about the cases under NPC's instruction, pass the compensation regulation by NPC and follow the regulation to deliver compensation. c) Delegate the accountability of violators under the supervision of NPC to related departments. We are writing this letter on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Day of the Disappeared on August 30, 2003, which is the culmination of our Second Congress. We ardently hope that this letter would merit your kind atteniton and concrete action." [signed by 20 delegates of the Congress: FIND (Philippines), Truth and Justice Commission (Pakistan), IKOHI (Indonesia), KontraS (Indonesia), Tiananmen Mothers Campaign Group (China), OPFMD (Sri Lanka), APDP (Kashmir), Relatives Committee of the May 1992 Heroes (Thailand), FEDEFAM (Latin America) and Linking Solidarity (Netherlands)]

A copy of the full version of the letter and signatories can be requested from ACPP.

AFAD encourages anyone who agrees with the demands of the above letter to add their signatures to it. The previous postcard campaign is also still continuing. Both can be sent to:

Jia Chunwang, Procurator-General
of the Supreme People's Procuratorate of the People's Republic of China,
Zuigao Renmin Jianchayuan, 147 Beiheyan Dajie, Dongcheng District
Beijing 100726, People's Republic of China

Source:
Justice and Peace Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese and AFAD

In May 2003, a letter calling for a fresh assessment of the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre (June Forth) has been sent to the new Chinese leadership (President Hu Jintao, State Counsel Premier Wen Jiabao, chairman of the 10th National People's Congress, Wu Bangguo, and the Chairman of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Jia Qinglin). This is the Tiananmen Mothers' latest effort to fight for justice for the June Forth victims. They are asking for a dialogue to discuss an independent and thorough investigation on the June Forth Massacre, to push for a proper account of events, and compensation for the victims and their families, and for those responsible for the incident to be punished according to the law.

More than 22,000 signatures in support of this effort were collected in Hong Kong and publicly mailed together with another letter to the Supreme People's Procuratorate.

On 4 June 1989, hundreds of students who were demonstrating and expressing their opinions peacefully, were violently killed and many were injured by the People's Liberation Army in Beijing. In search for justice for the victims, their families have made a number of requests for dialogue with the authorities and for an investigation into the events of June Forth. Not only have their requests been ignored, but many have continued to be persecuted, detained and visited by the police. It is also reported that family members have been chased when visiting the graveyard mourning for those killed in the massacre.

On the tenth anniversary of the Massacre, family members of the victims sent a letter asking the authorities to carry out an investigation into the killing of their family members in 1989. They are seeking accountability according to Article 11 of the 1979 Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China, under which Chinese citizens have the right and responsibility to bring cases against suspected criminals. In particular, the relatives are seeking the prosecution of former Chinese Premier Li Peng for his part in the massacre. However, there has been no response to repeated letters of application. Human rights groups have also called on the Chinese government to recognize legal right of citizens to pursue legal remedies against those responsible for the June Forth Massacre.

The call for a full investigation into the Tiananmen crackdown in 1989 and fair reparation for the victims and their families was repeated during the annual candle light vigil to commemorate the Massacre in Hong Kong. There has been no response from the authorities.

Please consider supporting the Tiananmen Mothers by sending letters amplifying their voice. The message from their postcard campaign is reproduced below.

I am mailing this petition for justice! The Tiananmen Mothers Campaign - is a campaign initiated by family members of victims of the 1989 June Forth massacre. In 1989, the Chinese government violently suppressed the peaceful civilian demonstrations of students and other Beijing residents in Beijing. After the massacre, a group of mothers of victims of the massacre banded together to demand for justice. In 1999, they submitted their petition to the Supreme People's Procuratorate of the People's Republic of China demanding a thorough investigation of the "June Forth incident" in order to bring those human rights perpetrators, including former Premier Li Peng, to court. These family members have repeatedly called for a public and impartial inquiry as well as compensation for the families of those massacred and injured. Despite years of struggles, they have never received any response from the government except persistent intimidation and persecution. Hitherto, those who held responsible for the massacre have not been punished. I am mailing this card to the Supreme People's Procuratorate of the PRC to press for a thorough investigation to the June Forth incident and holding human rights perpetrators accountable without impunity. (please include your name, signature, city and country)

Send letters/petitions to:

Jia Chunwang
Procurator-General of the Supreme People's Procuratorate of
the People's Republic of China,
Zuigao Renmin Jianchayuan
147 Beiheyan Dajie
Dongcheng District
Beijing 100726
People's Republic of China

For More information about the background and struggles of the Tiananmen Mothers Group, please read UA 000523(7) or refer the web site of Human Rights in China.

Source:
Justice and Peace Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese
Human Rights in China