The advocacy group believes the measures have “significantly impeded” people’s access to health care, food, and other necessities.
Why are the protests happening now?
The latest round of protests follow an apartment fire in Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang region, which left 10 people dead on Thursday.
Hana Young is the Deputy Regional Director at Amnesty International, who said the fire has inspired remarkable bravery.
“It is virtually impossible for people in China to protest peacefully without facing harassment and prosecution.”
“Peaceful protesters are holding blank pieces of paper, chanting slogans, and engaging in many forms of creative dissent.”
HANA YOUNG, AMNESTY INTERNATIOnAL
People in the region had been locked down for over 100 days. However, there are concerns some residents have been locked into their apartments completely.
How common are protests in China?
Blank sheets of paper have become the norm for Chinese protesters.
According to some chat groups on the Weibo platform, protesters were encouraged to bring blank pieces of paper rather than writing slogans or words, which may be banned in China.
The tactic has been previously used in Moscow as Russian protesters gathered to oppose the war in Ukraine.
Protests are rare in China, as President Xi seeks stamp out any anti-government sentiments.
The Chinese government has tried to manage the flow of information around Covid-19.
President Xi Jinping is at the centre of many protests in China.
Human Rights Watch describes the response as a way of “censor[ing] criticism” of the government’s response.
Sun Jian is a graduate student who was expelled from Ludong University for opposing lockdowns on campus.
“The trouble brought by the virus can’t be compared with the disruption from some of the anti-COVID measures taken by our school,” Sun told Reuters.
“The Chinese government must immediately review its Covid-19 policies to ensure that they are proportionate and time-bound,” said Ms Young at Amnesty International.
“All quarantine measures that pose threats to personal safety and unnecessarily restrict freedom of movement must be suspended.”
HANA YOUNG, AMNESTY INTERNATIOnAL
Protesters commemorated victims of the Urumqi fire and continue to call for the easing for coronavirus restrictions.
Dozens have been also detained and arrested on Urumqi Road in Shanghai after calling for President Xi to step down.
Costa is a news producer at ticker NEWS. He has previously worked as a regional journalist at the Southern Highlands Express newspaper. He also has several years' experience in the fire and emergency services sector, where he has worked with researchers, policymakers and local communities. He has also worked at the Seven Network during their Olympic Games coverage and in the ABC Melbourne newsroom.
He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Professional), with expertise in journalism, politics and international relations. His other interests include colonial legacies in the Pacific, counter-terrorism, aviation and travel.
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