It is becoming increasingly difficult to be a lawyer in China, particularly for those brave enough to take on "sensitive" cases related to human rights, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and land rights. Over the past two years, the Chinese government has been ramping up its use of silencing tactics, resorting to illegal detention, revoking licenses, harrassing individuals and their families, and even torture.

In fact, new regulations were introduced last year that bar lawyers from taking on certain clients, challenging court malpractice, or making comments about their cases to the media; any violations now constitute "inciting subversion."

Sign this petition and help us pressure the Chinese government to release all lawyers who have been detained or forcibly disappeared for being brave and compassionate enough to work to protect fundamental human rights.

I am writing to express my deep concern for the state of Chinese law. As more people turn to legal recourse as they push for democratic human rights, the lawyers who would defend their causes are being silenced by a mixture of convoluted laws and violent intimidation that even by Chinese standards is both barbaric and illegal.

China has worked hard to build a respectable and effective legal system since the 1960s. However, mounting efforts by the Chinese Communist Party to control the legal profession have damaged not only lawyers' credibility but also the credibility of the entire Chinese law system. It is imperative that the legal profession remain independent of political influence so that all people receive equal protection under the law and every issue receives a fair defense, no matter how politically "sensitive" it may be. This is the hallmark of a civilized nation.