United Nations’ Rapporteur on Torture Highlights China, Falun Gong Ahead of Planned Visit

United Nations report focuses on cases of reported torture and abuse in China during 2003 – 100 of 130 were perpetrated against Falun Gong practitioners.

With
a visit to China planned at the end of June, the United Nations Special Rapporteur
on Torture’s latest report highlights the torturing of Falun Gong practitioners
there.

Of the 115 countries covered, China received by far
the most ink in the 420-page report. Of over 130 cases of reported torture and
abuse in China, approximately 100 of them were perpetrated against Falun Gong
practitioners.

The report was published on March 23, 2004
and submitted to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. It is a summary
of communications between the rapporteur and various governments concerning suspected
torture cases and urgent appeals during 2003.

According to
the report, Rapporteur Theo van Boven, 70, wrote to the Chinese government at
least six times in 2003.

In a letter dated June 4 he informed
the Chinese government he was aware that a Mr. Xiao was reportedly subjected to
the so-called ‘water dungeon’ locking a naked person into a small iron cage with
spikes on all sides. The cage is then lowered into filthy water up to the victim’s
chest or neck in a completely dark room. The victim may be locked in the cage
for days or even weeks, and urine and feces are excreted into the water.

The
report (view
on-line) is not comprehensive and many cases of torture may not be included
in it, said a representative at the rapporteur’s office. The rapporteur compiles
it after processing information submitted to his office by various NGOs.

One
such NGO is the Falun Gong Human Rights Working Group (www.flghrwg.net).
According to working group representative Mr. Chen Shizhong, the NGO has received
tens of thousands of reports on torture of Falun Gong practitioners in China over
the past few years and submitted several thousand to the rapporteur.

These
cases include severe beatings, whippings with poisonous hemp, hanging by the wrists,
deprivation of food and sleep, dousing with extremely cold or hot water, shocking
sensitive body parts with high-voltage electric batons, and sodomizing with sticks.

The
Chinese government’s response acknowledges the sudden death of multiple individuals
in custody, though repeatedly states that allegations of torture and ill-treatment
are unfounded.

Examining these allegations is the main purpose
of the rapporteur’s trip. If carried out, this will be the Special Rapporteur’s
first UN mission to China after several attempts that fell through due to the
Chinese government’s last minute modification of the visit’ss conditions.

Even
if the Chinese government makes no last-minute maneuvers this time, Falun Gong
practitioner and past torture victim Mr. Zhao Ming is concerned about whether
the rapporteur will be allowed to truly inspect detention facilities without interference.
He says that the Chinese government has in the past effectively reduced visits
to little more than show tours by hiding abused prisoners and other evidence of
wrongdoing for the duration of the tours.

Other victims of
torture in China referred to in the report include Tibetans, HIV/AIDS activists,
and those arrested for openly expressing their views on a variety of issues.

Posting
date: 4/June/2004
Original article date: 3/June/2004
Category: World News