In pictures: China rights protest

Protesters in Beijing have staged a demonstration demanding greater respect for human rights in China.

Protesters gathered outside the foreign ministry to complain that ordinary people were not being allowed to contribute to a major human rights assessment due to be published soon.

Protesters showed journalists letters of complaint over land seizures, illegal detentions, and local corruption.

One 60-year-old complainant showed pictures of injuries she said she suffered at the hands of local authorities.

At first, police allowed the protesters to make their case within a cordoned-off area outside the ministry, but soon the protesters were taken away from the scene by bus.

The impassioned protesters continued making their demands from behind the doors of the bus.