The Importance of China Acknowledging the Tiananmen Square Massacre

China Commemorations Barred 34 Years After Bloody Crackdown

In what has become an annual occurrence, Chinese authorities have once again prevented citizens from holding commemorations for the Tiananmen Square Massacre, which took place on June 4, 1989. Human Rights Watch has spoken out against the Chinese government’s attempts to erase all memory of the event from the minds of its people, saying that the ongoing cover-up has emboldened the government to further suppress human rights domestically and undermine them internationally. Despite the government’s attempts to silence those who demand truth and accountability, people around the world are remembering the event and calling on China‘s leaders to acknowledge their responsibility and provide redress for victims and their families.

Increase in Chinese Government Efforts to Erase Memories of Tiananmen Square Massacre

As in previous years, in the weeks leading up to the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, the Chinese government has curtailed the movements and communication of activists and members of the Tiananmen Mothers. It has also detained and warned others who sought to commemorate the event. All of these efforts are aimed at preventing people from demanding accountability for the killings of pro-democracy demonstrators who took part in peaceful gatherings in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square and other cities in April 1989.

Chinese Government Must Acknowledge Responsibility and Provide Redress for Victims and Their Families

The Chinese government has the responsibility to respect the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, and to cease harassing and arbitrarily detaining individuals who challenge the official account of the Tiananmen Massacre. Furthermore, the government must meet with and apologize to the Tiananmen Mothers, release the names of all who died, and compensate the victims’ families appropriately.

The government must permit independent public inquiries into Tiananmen and its aftermath and promptly publish the findings and conclusions. It should allow the unimpeded return of Chinese citizens exiled due to their connections to the events of 1989.

Finally, the Chinese government must investigate all government and military officials responsible for planning or ordering the unlawful use of lethal force against demonstrators and prosecute them accordingly.

The Need for a Sustained, Coordinated, and International Response

The international community must hold China‘s government accountable for its human rights abuses, including the Tiananmen Massacre, by enforcing sanctions and exerting diplomatic pressure. A sustained, coordinated, and international response is needed to compel China to respect its citizens’ fundamental human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The international community must also urge China‘s leaders to begin a process of healing, reconciliation, and accountability by acknowledging the massacre and working to redress the grievances of the victims and their families.

Conclusion: Remembering Tiananmen Square

Thirty-four years have passed since the Tiananmen Massacre, and China‘s government continues its efforts to erase the memory of the event. However, the bravery of those who demand truth and accountability should be celebrated, and their efforts should be supported by the international community. The Chinese government should acknowledge its responsibility for the killings, compensate the victims’ families, and work towards building a more open and transparent society. By doing so, China‘s leaders can begin to heal the wounds of the past and build a better future for their citizens.

China Protest or Tiananmen Square Protest-china,tiananmensquare,massacre,humanrights,democracy,governmenttransparency