On 26 June 2026, to mark International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, The Rights Practice published an important new report, "Beyond Prison. Mapping Deprivation of Liberty in China". This report is an attempt to map the multiple ways in which the Chinese state may deprive someone of their liberty. A confusing array of practices and nomenclature can obfuscate the nature and purpose of each type of detention. In this report we disentangle criminal, administrative and extra-legal measures, explaining the legal basis and highlighting issues of concern.

The report underlines the risks of arbitrary detention and ill treatment in a system where legislation is vague and incomplete, the courts lack independence (and play a minor role), and the interests of the Chinese Communist Party take precedence. For anyone caught up in the system, we, nonetheless, argue that understanding the basis of detention is important for seeking remedy. China claims to respect the rule of law it is, therefore, essential that we endeavour to hold its administration of the law accountable.

This report has been written to help inform anyone visiting or engaging with China including diplomats, officials, journalists, NGOs and the business community. We provide recommendations for the government of China, and other governments.  

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