An independent peoples’ tribunal examining evidence that the Chinese state is forcibly removing the organs of innocent prisoners of conscience, thereby killing them for profit, began on Dec. 8 in London.

The Tribunal of seven independent members is chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice, QC. who previously led the prosecution of Slobodan Milošević at the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

Evidence from 30 witnesses and experts was heard over three days of hearings.

Further hearings are scheduled to take place early next year, followed by a report of the findings, however, the China Tribunal unexpectedly issued a draft interim judgement saying that they unanimously believe, beyond a reasonable doubt that forced organ harvesting of prisoners of conscience is happening in China.

It is rare for a people's tribunal to issue an interim judgement - Sir Geoffrey Nice explains why they did it in the video.

The Independent Tribunal Into Forced Organ Harvesting From Prisoners Of Conscience In China has been initiated by the International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse In China (ETAC).

“The charges are that many groups including Falun Gong practitioners, Uighurs, some Christians, and some Buddhists, have been taken as prisoners, checked on a regular basis whether they are medically fit, and then, when the time comes, their organs are removed. Some stories say without any anesthetics, in a very horrible way—and immediately transplanted into an organ visitor,” said Hamid Sabi, legal counsel to the tribunal, before the hearings began.

Crimes against humanity

Executive Director of ETAC, Susie Hughes, states “independent people’s tribunals often deal with grave crimes that official international organisations are unwilling or unable to investigate.

“Such a tribunal can provide some resolution to survivors or the loved ones of those killed,” said Ms Hughes.


Chair of ETAC, Professor Wendy Rogers states that, “In order to address a crime of this magnitude, the international community requires robust legal analysis.

“The Tribunal will provide this analysis, along with a transparent and permanent evidence-based record of forced organ harvesting in China. Such an inquiry could also provide material that could compel official international organisations to take further action,” said Professor Rogers.