TMCnet: Pres. Bush Must Hold China Accountable for Olympics-Related Human Rights Promise at Upcoming Summit, Amnesty International Says

[April 13, 2006]

(Comtex Business Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)WASHINGTON, Apr 13, 2006 (U.S.

Newswire via COMTEX) --Amnesty International calls on President Bush to use his April 20 meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao to encourage China to honor its commitment to initiate human rights reform prior to the Olympics.

During their 2001 Olympic bid, Chinese officials promised to improve human rights, specifying in particular that they would allow freedom of the press.

Unfortunately, Chinese authorities have failed to live up to their pledge.

In fact, Amnesty International believes the human rights situation in China is deteriorating.

"President Bush must use this opportunity to secure a timetable with specific benchmarks for human rights improvements in China prior to the Beijing Olympics," said Amnesty International USA Executive Director Dr. William F Schulz. "Failure to do so would send the Chinese government the message that the mistreatment of its citizens is acceptable to the United States."

In an April 11 letter to President Bush, the organization called for an end to executions of political prisoners, abolition of the "re-education through labor" detention system, and a reversal on the freedom of worship ban.

"At this rate, the only world record China is guaranteed to earn at the 2008 games will be for the world's champion of executions," said T. Kumar, Amnesty International USA Advocacy Director for Asia and the Pacific. "When Chinese athletes cross the finish line in the summer Games, let's hope their achievement won't be overshadowed by China's poor finish in the world's human rights rankings."

According to Amnesty International research, the Chinese government has evicted thousands of Chinese citizens from their homes in preparation for the upcoming Games. Torture by law enforcement personnel is endemic throughout the country and many prisoners are known to have died in custody.

Tibetans, Uighurs, "unofficial" church members, Falun Gong practitioners, democracy activists, journalists and political dissidents remain frequent targets of abuse and terror. Other targeted groups include trade union organizers, advocates of reform and internet activists.

"The scale of China's human rights violations is startling," said T. Kumar.

"In spite of promises to improve human rights, China continues to account for upwards of 80 percent of all executions documented in the world, tortures numerous people to death, and denies the right to freedom of conscience, expression, religion and association. As the Olympics approach, the eyes of the world will be on China's human rights record. Now is the time for Chinese authorities to match their actions to their words."

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http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-pres-bush-must-hold-china-accountable-olympics-related-/2006/04/13/1570409.htm