Lewis, Margaret K. --- "Freedom from torture" [2019] ELECD 1310; in Biddulph, Sarah; Rosenzweig, Joshua (eds), "Handbook on Human Rights in China" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2019) 348

Book Title: Handbook on Human Rights in China

Editor(s): Biddulph, Sarah; Rosenzweig, Joshua

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Section: Chapter 17

Section Title: Freedom from torture

Author(s): Lewis, Margaret K.

Number of pages: 23

Abstract/Description:

China became a party to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment thirty years ago. Yet in its most recent review of China’s performance, the United Nations Committee against Torture seriously questioned the Chinese government’s claim that it is making enormous efforts to stop torture. This chapter begins by addressing China’s commitments to eradicate torture and legal reforms to date, as well as the present climate of simultaneous reform and repression. It next examines what is known regarding the prevalence of torture, the effectiveness of legal measures aimed at curbing torture, the workings of the Party disciplinary system, and the future trajectory of reform efforts. It concludes by raising currently unanswerable questions regarding the right to be free from torture in China today.