BACKGROUND INFORMATION Despite several measures introduced to curb the practice torture and ill-treatment remain widespread in China. Common methods include kicking, beating, electric shocks, suspension by the arms, shackling in painful positions and sleep- and food-deprivation. When on a "tiger bench" the victim reportedly sits on a bench with legs tied stretched out straight on the bench and hands tied behind a vertical back support. Bricks or other hard objects are then pushed under the victim’s legs or feet, causing the legs to bend upwards painfully, sometimes until they break. Falun Gong practitioners detained by police in northern China have reportedly been tortured by methods including a "tiger bench". Reports of detainees being tortured while in custody awaiting trial, so as to extract confessions, often go unchallenged by the courts, and impartial investigations into such allegations are rare. In November 2006, China’s Deputy Procurator General, Wang Zhenchuan, admitted that at least 30 wrongful convictions handed down each year resulted from the use of torture, with the true number likely to be much higher.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English, Chinese or your own language: - urging the authorities to conduct an independent and impartial investigation into allegations that Yang Maodong has been tortured, with a view to bringing those responsible to justice; - urging the authorities to guarantee that Yang Maodong receives a fair trial, in line with the international standards; - urging the authorities to guarantee that Yang Maodong is not subjected to further torture and ill-treatment; - urging the authorities to guarantee Yang Maodong regular access to his family, lawyers of his choice and any medical help he may require; - calling on the authorities to ensure that all human rights defenders in China are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities in line with constitutional guarantees on the protection of human rights and international human rights standards.
APPEALS TO: Prime Minister WEN Jiabao Guojia Zongli The State Council, 9 Xihuangcheng Genbeijie Beijingshi 100032, People's Republic of China Email: gazette@mail.gov.cn Salutation: Your Excellency Procurator-General of the Supreme People's Procuratorate of the People's Republic of China JIA Chunwang Jianchazhang Zuigao Renmin Jianchayuan 147 Beiheyandajie Beijingshi 100726, People's Republic of China Salutation: Dear Procurator-General Governor of the Guangdong Provincial People's Government HUANG Huahua Shengzhang Guangdongsheng Renmin Zhengfu 9 Lou, 305 Dongfeng Zhonglu Guangzhoushi 510031 Guangdongsheng, People's Republic of China Fax: +86 20 83135073/ 83132377 Email: service@gov.southcn.com Salutation: Dear Governor Chief Procurator of the Guangdong Provincial People's Procuratorate ZHANG Xuejun Jianchazhang Guangdongsheng Renmin Jianchayuan 26 Cangbianlu Guangzhoushi 510090 Guangdongsheng, People's Republic of China Salutation: Dear Sir
COPIES TO: Secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee ZHANG Dejiang Shuji Zhonggong Guangdongsheng Weiyuanhui Guangzhoushi, Guangdongsheng, People's Republic of China Salutation: Dear Secretary and to diplomatic representatives of China accredited to your country. PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 12 July 2007.******** Amnesty International, International Secretariat, 1 Easton Street, WC1X 0DW, London, United Kingdom
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