Missing in China: New guide aims to help families of detained foreigners

When someone goes missing in China, the country’s secretive law enforcement and judicial system are especially difficult to navigate. This is a frightening situation for family members and friends back home who seek to assist their loved ones.

Safeguard Defenders’ handbook Missing is specifically designed to fill this gap and to empower family members become the best advocates they can be for the detainee.

Download the English version of the handbook here. 

Based on the experiences and insights shared by former victims, it aims to do this by explaining China’s law enforcement system and judicial process, outlining what consular services can and cannot do, how to retain a lawyer in China, and ways to engage with the media, while suggesting possible allies that can offer additional help and advice.

The handbook also contains basic information on consular services in case of detention in China including emergency hotlines for the following countries: Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and United States. 

In addition, Safeguard Defenders has compiled a European Directory, which contains similar information for EU and EFTA Member States. These are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. 

We warmly recommend anyone traveling to China, and their designated contacts at home, to familiarize themselves with this handbook, which also contains practical advice on simple steps to take prior to your departure.

Chinese authorities may search your belongings and electronic devices at all times during your stay in the country. Do not carry this guide with you.