By Mike Frick

After a year of secretive negotiations and public pomp and drama, China unveiled its new leaders. But alongside the official narrative of this once-a-decade transition, Chinese grassroots organizations and individual citizens took part in their own smaller-scale dramas when they stood up, individually and collectively, to demand a more equal society. The year 2012 saw creative – sometimes daring – examples of advocacy in the field of health and human rights.

Here is a look-back at some notable campaigns led by activists who demanded equal rights for LGBT people, women, male and female sex workers, disabled people, and people living with hepatitis or HIV/AIDS.

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A coalition of Chinese sex worker organizations is circulating a sign-on letter to call for an end to violence against sex workers.

Brief summary in English: December 17th is “International End Violence Against Sex Workers Day.” The letter says that violence against sex workers in China continues, and gives examples, including:

• Lack of protection of personal safety for female, male and transgender sex workers, citing documented cases of 218 incidents, including 8 in which sex workers were killed.
• Fear of seeking help when they encounter violence. Because they fear being jailed for criminal behavior, sex workers are often reluctant to use the law to protect their rights.

The signers call for more attention to safety of sex workers and an end to violence. Sex workers are Chinese citizens and should receive equal treatment in protection of their personal safety and property. They also call for an end to social stigma, discrimination and verbal abuse of sex workers.

Ten Chinese sex worker organizations have signed their names and the China Sex Worker Organization Network has also endorsed it. Please email Guo Ziyang at ouyanghuijie@sina.com to add your organization’s name to the letter.

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