UK Human Rights Report 2006 Critical of Regime in China

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office published its 2006 Human Rights Report in October. The Report states: “The Chinese authorities continue to violate a range of basic human rights. The use of the death penalty remains extensive and non-transparent; torture is widespread; there is a lack of judicial independence; obstacles to fair trials include administrative detention and re-education through labour (RTL); prison conditions are poor and prisoners are treated badly; human rights defenders, worshippers and Falun Gong adherents face harassment and detention; human rights violations occur frequently in Xinjiang and Tibet; and there are increased restrictions on freedom of expression and severe restrictions on freedom of association.

The Report highlighted recent developments. “The Chinese government has taken an increasingly hardline approach to freedom of expression, introducing restrictive new regulations on print media, closely controlling internet use, closing newspapers and detaining journalists and online writers. Lawyers who defended them faced harassment and detention.

“Some demonstrations were dealt with violently. In December 2005, three villagers died after police reportedly shot at protesters in Dongzhou village, Guangdong province. … Mainland media were banned from reporting on these incidents.

“Petitioners are periodically detained, sent home and, in some cases, assaulted.”

The Report also examined the communist regime’s human rights records in specific areas, pointing out that “in most areas progress is either slow or non-existent.” Regarding Respect for freedom of religion and belief, the Report concludes that “There has been no progress on this issue” and referred to UK concerns about “the narrow definition of officially sanctioned religious groups in China; the prohibition of some religious and spiritual groups; the restriction and harassment of others; and reports of the mistreatment of Falun Gong members in detention.”

Former FCO Minister Ian Pearson visited China in April 2006 and raised concerns over reports of organ harvesting from executed prisoners, the Report says.