Organ Harvesting in China
China is illegally harvesting organs from prisoners, and these actions violate human rights. China must be held accountable by the UN and non-governmental organizations. To see what rights China is violating, we will look at the International Bill of Human Rights, what regulations can be enforced upon China, and how realistic and viable this enforcement would be. To back up the claims of human rights violations, this article will look at what happened after the Beijing Olympics of 2008 and the story of Jennifer Zeng.
Historical Context of Human Rights Abuses in China
Allegations regarding illegal activities in China surfaced in the 1990s but were brought to light after the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Many people were kicked out of their homes due to the demolition required to construct the necessary buildings for the Olympics. A well-known violation of human rights occurred in 1989 with the demonstrators in Tiananmen Square:
“troops, using automatic weapons, had advanced in tanks, armored personnel carriers (APCs), and trucks from several directions toward Tiananmen Square”(Richelson & Evans, 1999).
Since the 1990s, there have been questionable acts committed by the Chinese government. In recent years, illegal organ harvesting and the disproportionate incarceration and execution of Chinese citizens have drawn global concern.
The Testimony of Jennifer Zeng
Jennifer Zeng is a former prisoner in China who shared her experiences. She explains,
"She was arrested four times in China for following Falun Gong" (Sky, 2019).
She was held against her will, physically and mentally tortured, and kept in cramped conditions. Zeng recounts how she underwent blood tests and organ scans to determine if her organs were viable for harvesting. Fortunately, she had previously had hepatitis C, which made her organs unsuitable.
Zeng also describes how she was forced to work from 5 a.m. to midnight daily, producing clothing for export to the U.S. and Europe. Prisoners were required to memorize and recite government regulations as a form of indoctrination to renounce Falun Gong.
China’s Network of Labor Camps
China is believed to have the largest and most efficient labor camp system in the world:
"Authorities cite evidence for the existence of 1,200 camps above ground, holding 3 million prisoners" (Nikodemos et al., 2021).
This suggests there could be 3 million stories like Zeng’s, and countless more who are no longer alive to speak out. According to the U.S. Department of State (2020):
"People in China cannot practice the religion or belief of their choice. They cannot express their opinions openly or form or join groups of their choosing without fear of harassment, arrest, or retribution."
Violations of International Law
China, a signatory to the International Bill of Human Rights, is in breach of several provisions. According to the United Nations (1996), human rights include:
Freedom from slavery and servitude
Freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment
The right to a fair trial
The presumption of innocence until proven guilty
Jennifer Zeng’s case alone reveals how China violates multiple clauses. These rights are not being protected—instead, the Chinese government is often the perpetrator.
Global Response and Accountability
Although the UN is tasked with defending human rights, its enforcement powers are limited. Therefore, the responsibility often falls to other nations or non-profits . As Human Rights Watch (2020) states:
"Governments that commit human rights violations must be held publicly accountable for their actions by non-governmental organizations."
This makes global public awareness and pressure essential in holding violators accountable.
Organ Harvesting and International Efforts
Efforts to address organ harvesting are already in motion. For example, Israel has banned its citizens from receiving organ transplants from China. If more countries followed this model, the demand would decrease, and so would the incentive to supply organs through unethical means.
The Labor Supply Chain and Consumer Complicity
Another significant issue is China’s use of forced labor to manufacture cheap clothing. Major companies benefit from this but struggle to track or prevent abuses due to shadow factories—unaudited sites that subcontract work from “5-star” factories. These shadow factories are where the most egregious labor abuses, including child and prisoner labor, are found.
Many consumers unknowingly support these practices through their demand for low-cost goods. As long as this continues, companies will be pressured to cut costs, often at the expense of human rights.
Conclusion
If countries and the UN take meaningful action, these human rights violations can be brought to justice. Though organ transplant wait times may rise and clothing prices may increase, these are small sacrifices compared to the value of human life.
Stories like Jennifer Zeng’s must not be ignored or repeated. Fundamental human rights—freedom of speech, religion, and the presumption of innocence—must be universally protected. The world must recognize the violations taking place in China and take steps to stop them. Every person has the right to live, work, and worship freely—without fear of unjustified incarceration.