Excerpt of Amnesty International's Speech At United Nations Commission on Human Rights

56th session

Civil and political rights including the question of torture and detention, disappearances and summary executions

In China, there was a serious deterioration of the human rights situation during the past year. In the most serious crackdown since 1989 the Chinese authorities arbitrarily detained a broad range of people who were peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression, association or religion.

Torture and ill treatment are commonplace in China. Criminal suspects are often beaten, kicked, hung by the arms, shackled in painful positions, deprived of food and sleep and given electric shocks. Those serving sentences in prison or labor camps are frequently subjected to torture or ill treatment by guards or other inmates acting on the instructions of officials even though torture is prohibited by Chinese law. Few perpetrators are punished and superior officers, prosecutors, judges and other officials often cover-up cases of torture and ignore complaints made by victims.

Amnesty International believes that the Commission cannot continue to ignore grave violations of human rights in China. The Commission must examine the facts and act accordingly and not abdicate its responsibility through procedural motions.1

Amnesty International

April 5, 2000

1.On those occasions when draft resolutions on the human rights situation in China were tabled, procedural motions "to take no action" were used to avoid a discussion and decision on the issues raised in the resolution

The above is an excerpt from the speech given by Amnesty International. It contains the entire portion relating to China.