(Tokyo, Japan — June 20, 2025) On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the “709 Crackdown,” ChinaAid, in collaboration with eight international democracy and human rights organizations, together with the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute and the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe, will host two events commemorating the “709 China Human Rights Lawyers Day” at the University of Tokyo from July 8 to 9, 2025. These events will honor the tireless efforts and sacrifices of Chinese human rights lawyers in the pursuit of rule of law and freedom.

Background of the 709 Crackdown

On July 9, 2015, the Chinese government launched a nationwide crackdown across 23 provinces, arresting, criminally detaining, summoning, forcibly disappearing, or interrogating more than 300 lawyers, paralegals, rights activists, and their family members, drawing widespread international concern. The incident became known as the “709 Crackdown.”

In 2017, to commemorate this event and support Chinese lawyers who persist in defending the rule of law, American human rights activists initiated the “China Human Rights Lawyers Day,” which has since been marked annually around July 9 in different regions of the world.

2025 Event Schedule

This year’s commemoration event will be held in Tokyo, Japan, consisting of two themed events:

• July 8 (by invitation):
  The theme will be “Engagement with China on the rule of law.” Several U.S. scholars and NGO program directors with long-standing engagement with China’s legal sector will share their experiences and reflections on interacting with China’s judicial system. Due to security concerns for some speakers, this event will be by invitation only, with limited guest attendance approved by the organizers.
• July 9 (public live stream):
  The event will be streamed live globally via YouTube, allowing broader public participation in the commemoration. Those in Japan may attend in person to join international guests in remembering and supporting China’s human rights lawyers.

Organizers include:

• International organizations:
  International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute
  Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe
  
  
• U.S. Organizations:
  China Change
  Human Rights in China
  Humanitarian China
  ChinaAid Association
  
  
• Organizations in Asia and other regions:
  Japan: Asian Lawyers Network
  Taiwan: Judicial Reform Foundation and New School for Democracy
  The United Kingdom: The 29 Principles

This commemoration event aims to continue documenting the historical significance of the “709 Crackdown,” highlight the courage and dedication of China’s rights lawyers, and promote ongoing international attention to the state of the rule of law and human rights in China.

Media Contact:

For interviews or more information, please contact the representatives of the event organizers.

(ChinaAid Association)