05/27/2004, 00.00
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Beijing launches human rights investigations following Amnesty International accusations

Beijing (AsiaNews) – The day after Amnesty International (AI) reported China had made very little progress in 2003 in terms of human rights violations and respect for minorities, Beijing has decided to launch a year-long campaign to investigate human rights violations of state workers.

"Most inquires will be directed at crimes such as interrogators who use torture and extortion to produce confessions as well illegal detentions, obstruction of voter's rights and other human rights violations," reported the Xinhua news service.

In its 2003 report, AI reported that "despite the positive few steps (made by China), there has been no attempt to introduce basic reform and institutional legislation necessary for putting a stop to serious human rights violations. Tens of thousands of persons are still being arrested or imprisoned in violation of their right to freedom of expression and association and are in serious danger of undergoing torture and abuse."

According to the deputy chief prosecutor of the People's Supreme Court, Wang Zhenchuan, China has investigated 4029 abuse cases between 2001-2003, finding 16% of them to be serious crimes of state officials.  

However, following the United States launching its "war on terror", the Chinese the government has escalated its repression of Uygur Muslim minority populations living in the northwestern autonomous region of Xinjiang.     

According to Amnesty International, "the Xinjiang community's cultural and religious rights restrictions have been stepped up. (In this region) thousands of persons have been arrested or imprisoned on trumped charges of "separatism" or "terrorism".

The human rights organization also reported on the situation in Tibet, where Buddhists monks and female religious are still being jailed.

China continues to rank among the world's leading capital punishers, as 10,000 prisoners are said to be executed each year in the country.

According to incomplete AI reports, in 2003 1639 prisoners were condemned to die in China, while 726 were actually executed.  (ThR)

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