The Civil Society Organization (CSO) followers in China are slowly disappearing for fear of being the target of police harrassment.

Most of the CSO members are hiding to avoid being interrogated and forced to testify against their fellow members. Yang Zili, a researcher at the Transition Institute of Social and Economic Research in Beijing said the situation is very alarming.

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"The anxiety is overwhelming, not knowing if they are coming for you," Yang said. "It's frightening because as they disappear, one friend after another, the police are not following any law. They just do as they please."

The civic groups in China, especially those fighting for political and social issues like laborer's rights, education, social advocacy and social prejudices, find this time to be risky and unsafe on their part as they visualize imminent danger ahead.

The groups have been struggling for a long period of time, living inside China's hostile environment, changing scope of official's willingness and tolerance on particular social and legal issues. However, it has served as dwelling place for socially devoted people.

In the past few months, the government has advanced its opposition of various groups, especially those that decry discrimination of people who have hepatitis B.   

Zhang Zhiru, who is operating a labor group in southern manufacturing city of Shenzen in Guangdong Province, said that this is the most intense pressure yet that grass-roots organizations have felt. Zhang even experienced his car being vandalized and police intimidation pushed his organization to evacuate for more than 10 counts.

"The government just wants us to disappear," Zhiru added.

Mr. Yang, on the other hand, a researcher which is also hiding, expressed his hopes in surviving through these tough situation.

Guo Yushan, an activist and economist from rural eastern China in an interview said "You can make your arguments online, or write articles criticizing the government, but once you mobilize people you're going to have some serious problems,"

Gou also expressed that the authorities are closely monitoring the institute's work, especially the lectures and conferences they organized.

TagsFreedom of Speech, Civil Society Organization, political dissidents