The Tiananmen Square Massacre and the Lack of Human Rights
It is amazing how a simple event can trigger a major catastrophe affecting many lives. During the Tiananmen Square Massacre in June of 1989, the Chinese people experienced terrible violence and their human rights were violated. As a result of the Chinese government's unwillingness to hold a simple dialogue with the Chinese students and workers, violence erupted after marshal law was declared. As a television audience looked on, the workers and students protested against government leaders for an end to corruption, while seeking political reform. As the demands were made by the students and workers, the Chinese government took control by sending their army to clear the capital.
On May 20th 1989, the People's Liberation Army was instructed by the Chinese government to clear Tiananmen Square and they imposed control over the civilians; illustrating how marshal law takes away the people's right to protest and express themselves through freedom of speech.
English: A large temporary monument in Tiananmen S...
Groups of people wander around Tiananmen Square in...
Tiananmen Square as seen from the Tiananmen Gate i..."Next came the tanks, which rumbled through the capital's streets late on June 3rd, as the army moved into the square from several directions, randomly firing on unarmed protestors." (Nathan and Link) The demonstrations in Tiananmen Square represented a great challenge to the communist state in China. The leaders of both the U.K and U.S expressed their feelings on this event. U.S President George Bush said, "He deeply deplored the use of force", and U.K Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said, "She was shocked and appalled by the shootings." (Nathan and Link) Both leaders where outraged about what was going on during the Tiananmen Square Massacre. Although the Chinese government had stopped other protests that came before Tiananmen Square, the violence used to stop this protest caused international criticism of the Chinese government throughout the world.
The extreme reaction of...