The “Human Rights Torch Relay (HRTR) in Mainland China” was initiated by many overseas organizations. One month since the pledge assembly was held at the end of March in Hong Kong, the HRTR coordination center has received large numbers of photos showing “Human Rights Torch” signs in Guangzhou and surrounding cities. More visibly in Shanwei, where the massacre happened to quell local residents’ protests for their land rights on December 6, 2005.
According to the HRTR coordination center, HRTR posters are mostly seen in Nanhai and Shunde, Panyu and Dongwan.
In recent years, the local officials in these areas have sold massive tracts of farm land at low prices and misappropriated farmers compensation funds using obscure bookkeeping. Serious human rights conflicts have happened repeatedly because the farmers have not received proper compensation and settlements. The authorities suppress them with iron fists. The villagers have been picked up, beaten, detained, and sent to the labor and brainwashing center. Currently, there are still many farmer representatives who have lost their land and are being monitored and suppressed by the authorities. They live the life of a fugitive.
