The government is likely holding several thousand political prisoners, although the exact number is difficult to determine. They include hundreds of Chinese who are imprisoned for their peaceful participation in the 1989 pro-democracy protests. The leadership has thus far rejected calls to reassess the official verdict of the 1989 Tiananmen demonstrations as a counterrevolutionary rebellion. By early August 1999, courts had sentenced seven members of the CDP to prison terms generally ranging between 8 and 13 years on subversion charges, with some trials lasting just a few hours. Unrelenting police harassment prevents many dissidents from holding jobs or otherwise leading normal lives.
Authorities routinely abuse prisoners and often encourage inmates to beat political prisoners.
Nearly 70 crimes are punishable by the death penalty, and in recent years the state has executed numerous people for nonviolent offenses including hooliganism, theft of farm animals or rice, or forging of tax invoices. Authorities have executed others during crackdowns on corruption and drug trafficking, often immediately following summary trials. Although the media have diversified considerably in recent years in terms of subjects covered, the government continues to maintain tight control over political content. Yet the media never directly criticize the CCP s monopoly on power or top leaders. At least a dozen journalists are in prison over their reporting.