Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is urging world leaders to call on the Chinese authorities to “respect international human rights norms at every opportunity,” thirty-four years on since tanks rolled into Tiananmen Square, killing thousands.

“Every year, we remember the victims of Tiananmen Square massacre and the pain and suffering of their families and friends,” CSW’s founder, President Mervyn Thomas, said in a statement. “And honour Tiananmen Mothers and all those who have paid the price for refusing to forget truth and give up for justice.”

In June 1989, Tiananmen Square in Beijing witnessed a significant pro-democracy protest as students and workers took over its premises. However, the peaceful demonstrations were met with a brutal response from Chinese army troops, resulting in the tragic loss of thousands of lives and leaving numerous others injured.

Since then, people worldwide have gathered to honour those who lost their lives in the protests and call on the Chinese government to admit wrongdoing. This year, June Fourth anniversary is being marked with exhibitions and demonstrations, including a permanent exhibition in New York and a vigil in London outside the Chinese embassy.

Thomas continued: “Not being able to openly mourn the June Fourth victims indicates the deprivation of fundamental human rights and dignity of Chinese people. Thirty-four years later, we see the consequences of the sad fact that no one has yet been held accountable: worsening violations against human rights of the people of China and the CCP's increasing export of its repression worldwide.

“The White Paper protests throughout China in November 2022, which brought the CCP’s Zero-Covid policy to an end, have ignited the hope of new generations of Chinese people inspired to press for human rights and freedom, but they need international support. We urge states to call on the Chinese authorities to respect international human rights norms at every opportunity.”