11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

During the year the government and its agents reportedly committed arbitrary or unlawful killings ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22755]

"During the year the government and its agents reportedly committed arbitrary or unlawful killings. No official statistics on deaths in custody were available. On January 5, 18 persons were killed and 17 were arrested during a raid at a location in the XUAR that Chinese officials called a terrorist training base. On February 27, Xu Hongmei and Shen Zili, two women who were arrested in January for Falun Gong activities, died after they were reportedly tortured by security forces. On March 22, local procuracy officials detained a Guilin judge, Li Chaoyang, on bribery allegations. After family members learned that Li was dead, they examined the body and found that Li was missing several teeth and had a stitched-up face wound. On May 28, local procuracy officials detained Lianyungang City electric utility official Liang Xuping, and Liang subsequently died. Liang's body was bruised, but officials claimed Liang died of a heart attack."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

No developments in the investigation of police killings ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22756]

"There were no developments in the investigation of the 2006 shooting of Tibetan nun Kelsang Namtso, who was shot and killed when People's Armed Police at the Nangpa La pass fired at a group of approximately 70 Tibetans, or the 2005 police killing of at least three protesters in Dongzhou Village, Guangdong Province."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Role of the police and security apparatus; corruption at the local level was widespread; continuing widespread abuse in law enforcement ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22767]

"The security apparatus is made up of the Ministries of State Security and Public Security, the People's Armed Police, the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and the state judicial, procuratorial, and penal systems. The Ministries of State Security and Public Security and the People's Armed Police were responsible for internal security. SPP and SPC officials admitted that courts and prosecutors often deferred to the security ministries on policy matters and individual cases. The SPP was responsible for the investigation of corruption and duty crimes. The PLA was responsible for external security but also had some domestic security responsibilities.
The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) coordinates the country's law enforcement, which is administratively organized into local, county, provincial, and specialized police agencies. Recent efforts have been made to strengthen historically weak regulation and management of law enforcement agencies; however, judicial oversight was limited, and checks and balances were absent. Corruption at the local level was widespread. Police officers reportedly coerced victims, took individuals into custody without just cause, arbitrarily collected fees from individuals charged with crimes, and mentally and physically abused victims and perpetrators.
The SPP acknowledged continuing widespread abuse in law enforcement. In July 2006 the SPP issued new standards for prosecuting official abuses of power. Domestic news media reported the convictions of several public security officials who had beaten to death suspects or prisoners in their custody. Nonetheless, investigation of misconduct typically only came in response to publicity, public pressure, and persistent efforts by relatives of victims to petition the government. In July 2006 an SPP spokesperson said there were many abuse of power cases that the procuratorates did not dare handle."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Cases of forced entry by police officers continued to be reported ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22842]

"The law states that the "freedom and privacy of correspondence of citizens are protected by law;" however, the authorities often did not respect the privacy of citizens in practice. Although the law requires warrants before law enforcement officials can search premises, this provision frequently was ignored; moreover, the PSB and prosecutors can issue search warrants on their own authority without judicial consent, review, or consideration. Cases of forced entry by police officers continued to be reported.
During the year authorities monitored telephone conversations, facsimile transmissions, e-mail, text messaging, and Internet communications. Authorities also opened and censored domestic and international mail. The security services routinely monitored and entered residences and offices to gain access to computers, telephones, and fax machines. All major hotels had a sizable internal security presence, and hotel guestrooms were sometimes bugged and searched for sensitive or proprietary materials."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Security personnel harassed and detained the family members of political prisoners ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22843]

"Some citizens were under heavy surveillance and routinely had their telephone calls monitored or telephone service disrupted. The authorities frequently warned dissidents and activists, underground religious figures, former political prisoners, and others whom the government considered to be troublemakers not to meet with foreign journalists or diplomats, especially before sensitive anniversaries, at the time of important government or party meetings, and during the visits of high-level foreign officials. Security personnel also harassed and detained the family members of political prisoners, including following them to meetings with foreign reporters and diplomats and urging them to remain silent about the cases of their relatives."

Document(s): Open document

06.2007 - Source: Freedom House

Cases of extrajudicial and politically motivated murder, torture, beating, and arbitrary arrest continue to be reported ("Freedom in the World 2007") [ID 20407]

"Though in most cases security forces are under direct civilian control, misuse of authority remains frequent, and human rights violations are widespread. Cases of extrajudicial and politically motivated murder, torture, beating, and arbitrary arrest continue to be reported. In August 2006, human rights activist Chen Guangcheng was jailed for four years and his conviction upheld in a rare retrial in December 2006; AIDS activist Hu Jia was detained in September and has been held under house arrest since November; and anticorruption crusader Guo Feixiong was arrested in October. Lawyers who are overly vocal in defending the rights of their clients are frequently harassed or detained. Civil rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng was arrested in October 2006, although in December 2006, he received a lighter sentence than was expected: three years with a five-year suspension."

Document(s): Open document

08.05.2007 - Source: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

Query response whether a person detained at an underground church meeting would have his or her name placed in the Public Security Bureau (PSB) database ("Whether a person detained at an underground church meeting would have his or her name placed in the Public Security Bureau (PSB) database [CHN102493.E]") [ID 21970]

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Dongzhou: Security Forces ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 18956]

"In December 2005 police shot and killed at least three protesters in Dongzhou Village, Guangdong Province. Villagers claimed that as many as 20 villagers were shot and killed by paramilitary riot police, with approximately 40 others missing. The government said the shooting occurred after protesters threw explosives at police and claimed that three protesters were killed. On May 24, 13 villagers from Dongzhou were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to seven years for alleged crimes during the protest. Four government officials were given internal warnings, but only the deputy director of the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) was removed from his position."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Role of the police and security apparatus ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 18963]

"The security apparatus is made up of the Ministries of State Security and Public Security, the People's Armed Police, the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and the state judicial, procuratorial, and penal systems. The Ministries of State Security and Public Security were responsible for internal security. SPP and SPC officials admitted that courts and prosecutors often deferred to the security ministries on policy matters and individual cases. The PLA was responsible for external security, but also had some domestic security responsibilities.

The MPS coordinates the country's law enforcement, which is administratively organized into local, county, provincial, and specialized police agencies. Recent efforts have been made to strengthen historically weak regulation and management of law enforcement agencies; however, judicial oversight was limited, and checks and balances were absent. Corruption at the local level was widespread. Police officers reportedly coerced victims, took individuals into custody without just cause, arbitrarily collected fees from individuals charged with crimes, and mentally and physically abused victims and perpetrators.

The SPP acknowledged continuing widespread abuse in law enforcement. In July the SPP issued new standards for prosecuting official abuses of power. Domestic news media reported the convictions of several public security officials who had beaten to death suspects or prisoners in their custody. Nonetheless, investigation of misconduct typically only came in response to publicity, public pressure, and persistent efforts by relatives of victims to petition the government. In July an SPP spokesperson said there were many abuse of power cases that the procuratorates did not dare handle."

Document(s): Open document

01.2007 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Security forces continue to obstruct efforts by HIV/AIDS activists ("World Report 2007") [ID 18576]

"Local officials and security forces continue to obstruct efforts by activists and grassroots organizations to contribute to prevention and education efforts and to organize care-giving. Although there are hundreds of nongovernmental HIV/AIDS organizations in China, only a few are recognized by the government. In 2006, security officers in several provinces detained and beat activists lobbying for improved compensation for AIDS sufferers who contracted the disease through blood transfusions."

Document(s): Open document

20.09.2006 - Source: Congressional-Executive Commission on China

Abuse of power by local police forces remains serious problem ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 17374]

see report for further details - Chapter V(b)

"• The Communist Party’s concern with growing social instability dominated its policy statements over the past year, and served as justification for increased government vigilance over activities and groups that potentially threaten Party legitimacy. Top Party, court, and law enforcement officials repeatedly linked the government’s policy of pursuing periodic anti-crime campaigns, referred to as ‘‘Strike Hard’’ campaigns, to the goal of maintaining social stability. Government efforts to maintain social stability have led to a greater reliance on the coercive powers of the police to subdue potential threats to Party rule.

• Abuse of power by local police forces remains a serious problem. The Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) has acknowledged the existence of continuing and widespread abuses in law enforcement, including illegal extended detentions and torture. New SPP regulations that detail the criteria for prosecuting official abuses of power went into effect in July 2006, and establish standards for the prosecution of police who abuse their power to hold individuals in custody beyond legal limits, coerce confessions under torture, acquire evidence through the use of force, maltreat prisoners, or retaliate against those who petition the government or file complaints against them."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Public security forces monitor unregistered religious facilities ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 18174]

"Public security forces maintain designated units charged with monitoring religious behavior that violates law or regulation. Such police monitor unregistered facilities, check to see that religious activities do not disrupt public order, and combat illegal cults."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: BBC News

Government extending military spending on aircraft, ships and missiles; Chinese force could pose threat across Asia, warns US report ("US warns against Chinese build-up") [ID 17182]

Document(s): Open document

08.02.2006 - Source: Tageszeitung

Chinese journalist Wu Xianghu died 3 months after attack by policemen; he was beaten up by 50 policemen in October 2005 ("Redakteur gestorben") [#43708],  [ID 17169]

Document(s): Open document

05.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Continued often-violent protests by locals over corruption, land-grabs, taxation or environmental issues in rural areas; in response, security officials set up elite police squads in 36 cities to deal with riots and measures are taken to limit journalistic coverage of events ("China: Frustrated Citizens Take To The Streets") [#36267],  [ID 4421]

Document(s): Open document

04.2005 - Source: UK Home Office

Country Report April 2005 - Internal Security, Police ("Country Report - April 2005") [#31975],  [ID 4422]

"5.63 As reported by the official China Daily newspaper on 4 August 2004:

“China will from October 1 enforce new interrogation rules in order to better protect the rights of citizens and check abuse cases by police… Under the law, suspects can only be detained for 24 hours, or 48 hours in certain circumstances after approval by police station heads… Under the new rules, pregnant and breast-feeding women, juveniles under 16 and people over the age of 70 could not be interrogated for more than four hours and should not be shut in detention rooms. Police who broke the regulations would be punished. Those who beat suspects to death, cause death of prisoners for any other abnormal reason or whose neglect leads to prisoner suicide would be fired and prosecuted.” [14k]

5.64 On 12 May 2004, the official news agency Xinhua carried a report in which China’s second most senior Procurator admitted that government departments have infringed on people’s human rights. The government is conducting a nation-wide investigation into the issue (running from May 2004 to June 2005), said Xinhua. [13g]

Police Organisation

5.65 According to a report by the Canadian IRB dated 26 January 2004, China’s police force can be broken down as follows:

• Public Security Bureau (PSB) – the main police force in China (86%), accountable to the Ministry of Public Security (MPS).

• Prisons Police – guard prisons and labour camps, accountable to the Ministry of Justice.

• Judicial Police – maintain security at courts and escort suspects to and from court. Also administer the death penalty, not directly attached to any Ministry.

• Armed Police – patrol border, guard VIPs, foreign embassies and important government buildings, accountable to MPS and Central Military Commission (CMC).

• Patrol Police – community police whose main job is to deter crime and safeguard major events, accountable to the MPS. [3aa]

5.66 As reported by the BBC on 1 October 2000, “Thousands of police officers across China have been marking the country's national day for the first time by putting on new uniforms. The traditional olive-green fatigues have been replaced by specially designed new dark-blue outfits. Officials say the move is designed to draw a clearer line between the police and the military.” [9aa]

5.67 On 21 September 2000 the official People’s Daily newspaper reported, “The Chinese police have changed their uniforms seven times over the past five decades and the "Style-99" uniforms are said to have changed a lot in color, pattern, function and other aspects. The deep-blue color of the latest police uniforms is the mainstream color for police in most countries, which is quite different from army uniforms.” [12a]

Police Corruption/Incompetence

5.68 As reported by the BBC on 8 January 2004, 30,000 police officers were sacked during a four-month campaign aimed at stamping out corruption and incompetence in 2003. According to this report the majority of those dismissed were PSB officials who had been collecting fines illegally from the public. According to the same source, the police force in many areas is over-stretched with one police station in Hebei province having only 10 officers to cover 126,000 people. [9aq]

5.69 On 2 August 2003, the BBC reported that the police had been ordered to end the practice of arrest quotas. According to this report, “State media said Zhou Yongkang [Minister for Public Security] told officers to refrain from actions that offend public morality, cause outrage, or violate human rights.” [9ah

5.70 On 6 January 2005, the official People’s Daily newspaper reported the details of a speech made by President Hu, in which he called on the People’s Armed Police (PAP) to turn itself into a powerful and civilised force. He also said that it should be governed in accordance with the law. [12ag]"

Document(s): Open document

29.09.2004 - Source: Forum 18

Article on the Public Security Bureau's role in state control of religious affairs ("China: How the Public Security system controls religious affairs") [#25968],  [ID 4423]

Document(s): Open document

10.2003 - Source: UK Home Office

Country Assessment - October 2003 - Internal Security & Police ("Country Report - October 2003") [#49232],  [ID 4424]

"Internal Security

5.34. The Public Security Bureau (PSB) has two major tiers to its organisation: there is the policy-making Ministry, the Gong An Bu, as differentiated from the provincial law enforcement agencies of the Gong An Ju. Following the pattern of all ministries. Police uniforms were changed in September 2000 from drab olive military style uniforms to a blue uniform more akin to most police forces in other countries.

5.35. In December 2002, in Zhejiang province, a cleanup of the provincial police force dismissed 81 "unqualified" policemen and suspended 1,000 others for incompetence; criminal charges were brought in 34 cases. That same month, Hou Zongbin, chairman of the Committee for Internal and Judicial Affairs under the National People's Congress commented that illegal (over-extended) detentions of criminal suspects and forced confessions were still "a salient problem" in many parts of China.

Community Policing

5.36. The local police have a community role comparable to a US sheriff but unlike their counterparts in the West they are empowered, even encouraged (by their superiors) to intervene in personal aspects of peoples lives.

5.37. Within the local community structure, the local (professional) policeman usually heads the Security Defence Committee (SDC). A structure authorised under the 1952 Security Defence Committee Act. The SDC complements the Neighbourhood Committee, and increasingly in rural areas, the Village Committee. The SDC has three main policing functions: firstly to mediate (tiaojie) in disputes to prevent escalations into serious incidents; secondly to organise all local security defence, such arranging police teams; and thirdly, to ensure proper registration of households and other registers (moupai), with the appointment of a household agent.

5.38. China's official news agency (Xinhua) reported on 31 July 2003 that police had been ordered to end the practice of arrest quotas and “refrain from any action that offended public morality, caused public outrage or violated human rights”.

Terrorism

5.39. The Chinese response to the events of 11 September 2001 was swift. The paramilitary People's Armed Police (PAP), numbering 1.2 million officers stationed throughout PRC were immediately put on high alert. Generally there have been successive waves of increased security, with a heightened state of alert in October 2001 (also, see below, Muslims). China is also a founding member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (See Ethnic minorities, Uighur)

5.40. The PRC has a list of terrorist organisations that includes a number of groups not recognised by the United Nations, including Uighur nationalist groups. However, on 12 September 2002, the UN did recognise that the East Turkestan Islamic Movement was a terrorist organisation, responsible for killing 160 people in the past decade in Xinjiang province.

5.41. In addition to the new alert for PAP officers , a new Ministry of Public Security (MPS = Gong An Bu) bureau was announced in January 2002 to tackle terrorism. The unit is to be set up later in 2002, comprising of many elite police units, including a Sichuan PAP women's military unit trained in anti-terrorism tactics. The unit will specifically monitor border crossings, visa applications and airline security, in order to prevent terrorist attacks and incursions.

5.42. Amnesty International (AI) has strongly criticised the anti-terror campaign, particularly in relation to arrests and execution of Uighur "ethnic separatists". The United States Government has also voiced some criticism over Chinese interpretations' of "terrorist", and diplomatic difficulties have arisen over the their refusal to hand Uighur separatists found in Afghanistan over to the Chinese.

5.43. In March 2002, the Chinese authorities announced that they would be developing a corps of airline police to travel on all internal flights. By 2003, there should be 2,000 officers in action."

Document(s): Open document

10.2003 - Source: UK Home Office

Country Assessment - October 2003: The Military ("Country Report - October 2003") [#49232],  [ID 4425]

"5.51. All the armed forces are grouped together in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) with forces totalling 2,470,000 personnel in August 2000. The PLA is sub-divided into seven major military administrative units. The number of military personnel in the PLA has been reduced from 4.2 million to the current 2.5 million over the past two decades. Though more radical changes have been delayed because of infighting amongst Chinese elite. Graduates are being encouraged to join the forces, and the existing officer regulations are being revised to expand the recruitment base at officer level.

5.52. In September 2003, the Government announced plans to reduce to PLA by another 200,000 men as part of an ongoing programme of modernisation"

Document(s): Open document