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HKFP
3 days ago
- Politics
- HKFP
China's top prosecutor vows crackdown on torture in rare admission
China's top prosecutor has issued a rare admission that torture and unlawful detention takes place in the country's justice system, vowing to crack down on illegal practices by law enforcement officials. China's opaque justice system has long been criticised over the disappearance of defendants, the targeting of dissidents and regularly forcing confessions through torture. The country's top prosecutorial body the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) has occasionally called out abuses while President Xi Jinping has vowed to reduce corruption and improve transparency in the legal system. The SPP announced Tuesday the creation of a new investigation department to target judicial officers who 'infringe on citizens' rights' through unlawful detention, illegal searches and torture to extract confessions. Its establishment 'reflects the high importance… attached to safeguarding judicial fairness, and a clear stance on severely punishing judicial corruption', the SPP said in a statement. China has frequently denied allegations of torture levelled at it by the United Nations and rights bodies, particularly accusations of ill-treatment of political dissidents and minorities. But several recent cases involving the mistreatment of suspects have drawn public ire despite China's strictly controlled media. A senior executive at a mobile gaming company in Beijing died in custody in April 2024, allegedly taking his own life, after public security officials detained him for more than four months in the northern region of Inner Mongolia. The man had been held under the residential surveillance at a designated location (RSDL) system, where suspects are detained incognito for long stretches without charge, access to lawyers and sometimes any contact with the outside world. Several public security officials were accused in court this month of torturing a suspect to death in 2022, including by using electric shocks and plastic pipes, while he was held under RSDL. The SPP also released details last year of a 2019 case in which several police officers were jailed for using starvation and sleep deprivation on a suspect and restricting his access to medical treatment. The suspect was eventually left in a 'vegetative state', the SPP said. Chinese law states that torture and using violence to force confessions are punishable by up to three years in prison, with more serious punishment if the torture causes injuries or the death of the victim.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
China vows crackdown on torture in rare admission
China's opaque justice system has long been criticised over the disappearance of defendants and regularly forcing confessions through torture. PHOTO: AFP BEIJING - China's top prosecutor has issued a rare admission that torture and unlawful detention takes place in the country's justice system, vowing to crack down on illegal practices by law enforcement officials. China's opaque justice system has long been criticised over the disappearance of defendants, the targeting of dissidents and regularly forcing confessions through torture. The country's top prosecutorial body, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP), has occasionally called out abuses, while President Xi Jinping has vowed to reduce corruption and improve transparency in the legal system. The SPP announced on June 24 the creation of a new investigation department to target judicial officers who 'infringe on citizens' rights' through unlawful detention, illegal searches and torture to extract confessions. Its establishment 'reflects the high importance... attached to safeguarding judicial fairness, and a clear stance on severely punishing judicial corruption', the SPP said in a statement. China has frequently denied allegations of torture levelled at it by the United Nations and rights bodies, particularly accusations of ill-treatment of political dissidents and minorities. But several recent cases involving the mistreatment of suspects have drawn public ire despite China's strictly controlled media. A senior executive at a mobile gaming company in Beijing died in custody in April 2024, allegedly taking his own life, after public security officials detained him for more than four months in the northern region of Inner Mongolia. The man had been held under the residential surveillance at a designated location (RSDL) system, where suspects are detained incognito for long stretches without charge, access to lawyers and sometimes any contact with the outside world. Several public security officials were accused in court in June of torturing a suspect to death in 2022, including by using electric shocks and plastic pipes, while he was held under RSDL. The SPP also released details in 2024 of a 2019 case in which several police officers were jailed for using starvation and sleep deprivation on a suspect and restricting his access to medical treatment. The suspect was eventually left in a 'vegetative state', the SPP said. Chinese law states that torture and using violence to force confessions are punishable by up to three years in prison, with more serious punishment if the torture causes injuries or the death of the victim. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
China vows crackdown on torture in rare admission
AI- Generated Image BEIJING: China's top prosecutor has issued a rare admission that torture and unlawful detention takes place in the country's justice system, vowing to crack down on illegal practices by law enforcement officials. China's opaque justice system has long been criticised over the disappearance of defendants, the targeting of dissidents and regularly forcing confessions through torture. The country's top prosecutorial body the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) has occasionally called out abuses while President Xi Jinping has vowed to reduce corruption and improve transparency in the legal system. The SPP announced Tuesday the creation of a new investigation department to target judicial officers who "infringe on citizens' rights" through unlawful detention, illegal searches and torture to extract confessions. Its establishment "reflects the high importance... attached to safeguarding judicial fairness, and a clear stance on severely punishing judicial corruption", the SPP said in a statement. China has frequently denied allegations of torture levelled at it by the United Nations and rights bodies, particularly accusations of ill-treatment of political dissidents and minorities. But several recent cases involving the mistreatment of suspects have drawn public ire despite China's strictly controlled media. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo A senior executive at a mobile gaming company in Beijing died in custody in April 2024, allegedly taking his own life, after public security officials detained him for more than four months in the northern region of Inner Mongolia. The man had been held under the residential surveillance at a designated location (RSDL) system, where suspects are detained incognito for long stretches without charge, access to lawyers and sometimes any contact with the outside world. Several public security officials were accused in court this month of torturing a suspect to death in 2022, including by using electric shocks and plastic pipes, while he was held under RSDL. The SPP also released details last year of a 2019 case in which several police officers were jailed for using starvation and sleep deprivation on a suspect and restricting his access to medical treatment. The suspect was eventually left in a "vegetative state", the SPP said. Chinese law states that torture and using violence to force confessions are punishable by up to three years in prison, with more serious punishment if the torture causes injuries or the death of the victim.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EU envoys expect to resolve block of new Russia sanctions this week
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -European Union diplomats said they expect to reach a deal during an EU summit this week on an 18th package of sanctions against Russia, which Slovakia and Hungary are using as a bargaining chip for concessions on Russian energy. The European Commission has proposed the package in an effort to push Russia to negotiate a ceasefire with Ukraine after EU leaders called for "massive sanctions" in May. The package targets more of Russia's energy revenues by listing banks and hitting its shadow tanker fleet. On Monday, Hungary and Slovakia said they would not support the new sanctions without changes to the proposal to ban imports of Russian energy by 2027. EU leaders will discuss the ban at a European Council on Thursday and Friday in Brussels. "We are waiting for the outcome of Thursday's summit, and I believe that the conversation after Thursday will be much easier," said Ignacy Niemczycki, a Polish minister for the EU. "We remain optimistic." However, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico reiterated his position that a vote should be delayed until concerns over the energy ban are resolved, and said he was ready to block the sanctions if Slovakia's concerns were not addressed. Slovakia argues that cutting off Russian pipeline gas will raise prices, especially in central Europe. It also wants a mechanism to cap EU transit fees, and guarantees in case of a gas shortage, Economy Minister Denisa Sakova said last week. An EU diplomat familiar with the discussions said Slovakia and Hungary want "different treatment for landlocked countries". One diplomat added: "Hungary is not a problem. If Slovakia lets it go, so will Hungary." Slovak state-owned gas importer SPP said Russian gas giant Gazprom may demand compensation despite a declaration of force majeure by SPP if the EU bans imports. SPP says its Russian gas deal ending in 2034 is worth about 16 billion euros ($18.6 billion) at current prices. Lawyers have cautioned it will be difficult to eliminate the risk of claims if the Commission goes through with its plan to use trade measures for the ban rather than formal sanctions, which would require unanimity. "We have been working very closely with the member states most concerned by the phase-out,' a European Commission spokesperson said. ($1 = 0.8623 euros)
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
EU envoys expect to resolve block of new Russia sanctions this week
FILE PHOTO: Plastic letters arranged to read \"Sanctions\" are placed in front of EU and Russia's flag colors in this illustration taken February 25, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration REFILE - CORRECTING FLAG/ File Photo EU envoys expect to resolve block of new Russia sanctions this week BRUSSELS - European Union diplomats said they expect to reach a deal during an EU summit this week on an 18th package of sanctions against Russia, which Slovakia and Hungary are using as a bargaining chip for concessions on Russian energy. The European Commission has proposed the package in an effort to push Russia to negotiate a ceasefire with Ukraine after EU leaders called for "massive sanctions" in May. The package targets more of Russia's energy revenues by listing banks and hitting its shadow tanker fleet. On Monday, Hungary and Slovakia said they would not support the new sanctions without changes to the proposal to ban imports of Russian energy by 2027. EU leaders will discuss the ban at a European Council on Thursday and Friday in Brussels. "We are waiting for the outcome of Thursday's summit, and I believe that the conversation after Thursday will be much easier," said Ignacy Niemczycki, a Polish minister for the EU. "We remain optimistic." However, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico reiterated his position that a vote should be delayed until concerns over the energy ban are resolved, and said he was ready to block the sanctions if Slovakia's concerns were not addressed. Slovakia argues that cutting off Russian pipeline gas will raise prices, especially in central Europe. It also wants a mechanism to cap EU transit fees, and guarantees in case of a gas shortage, Economy Minister Denisa Sakova said last week. An EU diplomat familiar with the discussions said Slovakia and Hungary want "different treatment for landlocked countries". One diplomat added: "Hungary is not a problem. If Slovakia lets it go, so will Hungary." Slovak state-owned gas importer SPP said Russian gas giant Gazprom may demand compensation despite a declaration of force majeure by SPP if the EU bans imports. SPP says its Russian gas deal ending in 2034 is worth about 16 billion euros ($18.6 billion) at current prices. Lawyers have cautioned it will be difficult to eliminate the risk of claims if the Commission goes through with its plan to use trade measures for the ban rather than formal sanctions, which would require unanimity. "We have been working very closely with the member states most concerned by the phase-out,' a European Commission spokesperson said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
