Tuesday November 6, 2001

STONES LEFT UNTURNED

The U.N. investigator, who gives his annual report to the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday, has investigated alleged torture in 15 countries, [...].

But Rodley leaves with some regrets about stones left unturned, including a thwarted probe in China, where he has sought entry since 1996 to look into persistent allegations.

China has told Western diplomats in recent weeks it is willing to negotiate the terms of a visit, but has made no contact since May, he said. His terms require access to detention centers of his choice and interviews with inmates.

''From my end, there is still nothing new. It will be up to my successor,'' he said. ''Concerns relate to the problem and existence of torture in China, in police detention, in remand prisons and penitentiaries.

Political and religious detainees, including members of the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement, and common criminal suspects can be subject to torture in China, Rodley said.

He said that all the countries that had failed to follow up on his requests for invitations were ''a matter of regret.''

[...] http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20011106/ts/attack_un_torture_dc_1.html