The use of "self-criticisms" by the Public Security Bureau (PBS) in Guangdong; whether penalties are being imposed upon those who fail to submit a self-criticism (January-October 2001) [CHN38007.E]

While no reference to the use of "self-criticisms" by the Public Security Bureau in Guangdong or to whether penalties are being imposed upon those who fail to submit a self-criticism could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate, the following information may be of interest.

According to reports, editors at the Guangdong newspaper Yangcheng Evening News were ordered by the Communist Party's propaganda department to write "self-criticisms" following the publication of an interview with He Qinglian, an economist and commentator whose writings have reportedly been banned in China (The Financial Times 7 June 2001; Knight Ridder 13 July 2001).

A 3 June 2001 article reported that Nangang Zhoumo, a weekly magazine subordinate to Nanfang Ribao which is an organ of the Guangdong Provincial Communist Party of China (CPC) Committee, had been "purged" for failing to meet the standards set by the central authorities (Hong Kong Ming Pao). Reportedly, the Central Propaganda Department had issued a circular in May 2001, criticising the magazine and requiring it to submit a written "self-criticism" to the propaganda department of the Guangdong provincial party committee (ibid.).

An 18 July 2001 article reported that Zhong Hongmao, county head and deputy secretary of the CPC Committee of Heping County, Heyuan City, Guangdong Province, had been temporarily relieved of his post and asked to make a "self-criticism" for being suspected of using bribes to gain more votes during a recent election (Xinhua).

As well, a 29 December 2000 article reported that the Guangdong Province Governor, Lu ruihua, had stated that, in future, those in charge of production facilities where a serious or fatal accident occurs will have to either make an "in-depth self-criticism or resign from office"(ibid. 4 January 2001).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References


Financial Times [London]. 7 June 2001. "Beijing Launches Press Crackdown." (NEXIS)

Hong Kong Ming Pao. 3 June 2001. "HK Paper Reports on PRC's 'Purging' of Guangzhou Magazine Nanfang Zhoumo." (FBIS-CHI-2001-0604 3 June 2001)

Knight Ridder [Washington]. 13 July 2001. Michael Dorgan. "China Cracks Down on Journalists who Push Boundaries of Censorship." (Tribune News Service/NEXIS)

Xinhua [Beijing]. 18 July 2001. "New Heping county Head Temporarily Relieved of Post for Election Bribery." (FBIS-CHI-2001-0718 18 July 2001)

_____. 29 December 2001. "Guangdong Governor Addresses Meeting on Production Safety." (BBC Summary 4 January 2001/NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted


IRB Databases

LEXIS/NEXIS

Internet sites including:

Amnesty International

China Online

Human Rights in China

Human Rights Watch

People's Daily Online

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Note: This list is not exhaustive. Country or region-specific publications available at the Resource Centre are not included.