Abuse of those suspected of criminal activity by the police in China is widespread and systematic both at the point of detention and during interrogation. Whilst improvements to criminal procedure law go some way to addressing issues such as detention time limits, early access to a lawyer, and standards of evidence, the root of the problem lies in the institutional attitude and culture of Chinese police. We work for the prevention and the eradication of all forms of torture and ill-treatment.
- Prevention of Torture in the PRC: from Impunity to Accountability (2009-2011)
This three year project, funded by the EU and the (UK) Strategic Programme Fund, builds on the project activities described below, with the continuing objective of preventing torture and other forms of ill-treatment in China. Specifically, the aim is to promote a greater compliance by China on the obligations of a state with regards to the UN Convention Against Torture (CAT), and to promote greater awareness within law enforcement agencies of the Optional Protocol (OPCAT), by: PP -further developing police training with emphasis on new approaches to investigations and interrogation techniques; PP -research leading to recommendations to reduce the number of miscarriages of justice as a result of unreliable and often illegally-obtained evidence; PP -research into improving the operation of detention centres and reducing incidences of torture and ill-treatment.
Project update:
In the first semester (spring 2009) project partners met to discuss approaches to monitoring and evaluation of detention centres, as well as research methodology. Research is part of the holistic approach of this project to the prevention of torture and will focus on detention centre rules and regulations, and evidence rules. PP Activities in the second semester (autumn 2009) included field research and a workshop to discuss different approaches to police training. The research has focussed on how Chinese detention centres are regulated and attitudes amongst the judiciary and legal practitioners towards evidence rules. The police training workshop involving Dutch and Chinese police trainers and academics explored different approaches to interviewing suspects. PP In the next semester further research into European detention centre rules and regulations, and evidence rules will provide a comparative context for this activity. Preparations for a workshop to discuss approaches to training police in interviewing suspects in more depth will begin. Workshops to discuss how lay visiting might take place at detention centres in China will also take place in Beijing and in neighbouring provinces.
- Prevention of Torture in the PRC: from Impunity to Accountability (2006-2008)
This three year project aimed to cut the use of torture in China through raising awareness of China's obligations under the UN Convention Against Torture (CAT) and promoting the Optional Protocol within CAT. Project activities included documenting the weaknesses in the domestic legislative and regulatory framework for the prevention of torture, particularly as it applies to arrest, detention and interrogation. A major focus of the project was the delivery of training for 50 senior police officers from across China on international standards with a view to changing the culture of impunity within the police. The other major area of activity was the six month piloting of a ‘lay visitor scheme’ whereby we worked with a regional procuratorate to devise a model to promote independent monitoring of the conditions of detention of suspects and the reporting of incidences of abuse. This project was funded by the European Union and UK Global Opportunities Fund.
- Protecting Detainees' Rights (2006-2007)
The GBCC worked with the Ministry of Public Security's Legal Affairs Department in the development of new rules for interrogation and detention for police officers.
- Police Training in Human Rights (2003)
In 2003 the GBCC ran a Human Rights training programme for Chinese police officers with funding from UNOHCHR.
this page was updated on 19/11/2009