Dozens of Chinese activists, lawyers, and bloggers have been victims of state-backed, extrajudicial detentions over the years, of which many have simply disappeared, not to be seen again for months.

Human Rights Watch says these disappearances are an alarming new trend which the government is refusing to address.

Many human rights organisations and activists are concerned that the country is currently working on a new draft of its criminal law that would make disappearances legal.

Al Jazeera's Melissa Chan reports from Beijing.