Torture in China Then and Now

Table of Contents China’s Torture Chambers A Step into the Right Direction Conclusion Works Cited Human history is filled with violence. Since ancient times, murder and mayhem is a common occurrence in every pocket of the globe. The ability to destroy a person’s life is sometimes based on an inequality of power, the victim having less power to defend himself from an aggressor who has take an advantageous position and abuses his power over another. The one who has all the power then takes away the life of a human being.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Torture in China: Then and Now specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is no limited to individuals but a government can do the same. Aside from murder there is another human activity that must also be condemned because although it does not immediately take the life of a living person, its gradual effect can be likened to taking life one precious unit at a time. It is none other than torture and surprisingly the Chinese government is known to use it as an interrogation tactic and to silence its critics. This has to stop and China seems heading into the right direction in recent years. After World War the many have come to know the brutality of the Nazi government led by Adolf Hitler. They were experts in the use of torture. For them it was not only about extracting information but to use torture as a means to degrade and to break down the will and the spirit of their enemies. As a result world leaders, especially those working in conjunction with the United Nations, decided to initiate a convention against torture and their rationale for doing so was stated as follows: â€Å"Considering that, in accordance with the principles in the Charter of the United Nations, recognition of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world† (UN, p. 1) It do es not matter if a person is a royal subject or under a communist regime he or she is a human being with inalienable rights. In order to clarify the United Nations’ stand against torture they came up with the first ever definition of torture and it can be used in the international courts as a basis to determine if a regime or a certain political leadership is guilty of this offense and they wrote: †¦torture means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such a purpose as obtaining from him or a third person information or confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of †¦ a public official or other person acting in an official capacity (UN, p.1). There are two th ings about this definition that stand out. First, it is the highlighting the kind of pain or suffering inflicted – that it is not limited to the physical but mental as well. This is crucial because torture methods can become sophisticated that there are no visual evidence of suffering but the mind of the person was already broken beyond repair.Advertising Looking for essay on asian? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Secondly, it is the insistence of the United Nations that torture is narrowly defined as an action inflicted at the instigation or acquiescence of a public official (UN, p.1). This will redirect the discussion on the allegation that China is perpetuating a bureaucracy that includes torture as one of their most effective tools of governance. China’s Torture Chambers According to Kenneth Roth, the executive director of Human Rights Watch, â€Å"The government maintains a system of laws and practices that give rise to torture† (Watts, p.1). In1994 the United States sent U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher to confront then Prime Minister Li Peng regarding allegations of human rights abuse in China (Nelan, p.1) Li Peng responded by saying, â€Å"The Chinese government cares deeply about human rights† (Nelan, p.1). It is hard to believe and difficult to understand how the Prime Minister can see torture from a different light and consider barbaric practices as part of law enforcement protocol and good governance. It is a well known fact that torture has always been a part of the government’s repertoire in the attempt to control a vast territory that extends as far as Tibet in Mongolia. According to the U.N. Committee on Torture there is reason to believe that: â€Å"†¦torture may be practiced on a widespread basis in China† (Holmstrom, p.26). In the aftermath of the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre, Wang Dan was arrested and imprisoned for 43 months for his leadership role (Nelan et al., p. 1). After his release he was picked up once again by the police and interrogated for 24 hours and was told to get out of Beijing (Nelan et al, p.1). If one will take a second look at the UN charter, the actions of the policemen are tantamount to torture. Another disgusting facet of the use of torture is seen in the fact that it is not limited to suspected criminals but people who are perceived to be enemies of the state. Human rights groups have always contended that brutality and degradation are common in Chinese prisons â€Å"†¦where many of the victims are from the Tibetan and Uighur ethnic minorities, political dissidents, followers of the banned Falun Gong sect and members of underground churches† (Watts, p.1). This is the Digital Age and yet many Chinese people still suffer because of their desire to practice their faith.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Torture in China: Then and Now specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More One of the most affected religious group is the sect called the Falun Gong. The Communist Party’s revulsion concerning this group may stem perhaps from the fact that it is one of China’s most ancient religions and a prime example of how vastly different is communism to the old way of life and so the party wanted it eliminated from their society. In 1999 the government declared Falun Gong illegal and began to systematically round up and torture some of its members. â€Å"Some Falun Gong members have been tortured in custody and some have died† (Lipton, p.86). This is simply unacceptable. While it is shocking to know that China uses medieval age tactics to coerce its people and to institute justice in her realms even as late at the 20th century, what is more appalling is the fact that the Chinese government is still backing up the use of torture even in the 21st century. A UN special investigator was sent to China in 2005 and he discovered that immersion in sewage, ripping out fingernails, sleep deprivation, cigarette burns and beatings with electric pods are just some of the torture methods used by Chinese police officers and prison officials (Watts, p.1). However, it must be pointed out that the Chinese government is not one hundred percent indifferent towards the issue. But they want to take their time and sensitive to external prodding for them to transform law enforcement system. A Step into the Right Direction The Chinese government does not want any foreign country exerting their influence and telling them what to do. Outsider’s opinion does not matter to them whether it is in the form of advice regarding the way they do business or their policies with regards to human rights. It has to be understood that China is governed based on communist ideology and in a nutshell it simply means that the state takes precedence over the individual. This is a mindset radically opposed to the western worldview wherein each human being has an inherent value and each one has freedom and inalienable rights as well as his right to pursue happiness. In communist China the state can do anything as long as it is for the perceived good of the state and society in general. In recent years there seems to be positive signs that China is considering its stance regarding torture and working towards a future wherein the government will vigorously oppose the use of torture as part of intelligence gathering and governance. There are two reasons for this shift first of China hosted the 2008 Olympics and eyes of the whole world was riveted to this communist state.Advertising Looking for essay on asian? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More North Korea may be as hardcore as China when it comes to socialism but it is only China who succeeded in marrying socialism and capitalism. And if one is in the game of capitalism there are certain rules to follow and part of it is dependence on trade partners although China has more than a billion people its leaders are wise enough to know that they cannot survive on their own, especially in a global market. So it is going to be expected that China will give out a few concessions, and a more open-minded China can be seen in the coming years. Aside from concern of an economic backlash from the West there is another major reason why China is softening its stance regarding the use of torture in solving crimes and punishing criminals. There were two separate and related incidents wherein two suspects were tortured and forced to admit guilt only to find out a decade later they were innocent from the very beginning. A convicted murder named Zhao Zuohai was acquitted after his supposed vi ctim went home after disappearing for more than ten years (Hornby, p.1) In a similar case a man who confessed to killing his wife was released from prison after his wife was found to be alive and well after 11 years of disappearance; unfortunately his mother died in prison when she was arrested after defending his son’s innocence, both were victims of torture (Hornby, p.1) As a result the Chinese government has issued guidelines to stop the use of torture in obtaining confessions or witness testimony (Jacobs, p.1). It is about time. However, the world is hoping that China will go full blast with reforms and not hold back. The government must show proof that this time around they are serious about transforming their judiciary and law enforcement departments. â€Å"The larger problem, legal experts say, is the disconnect between China’s stated desire for the rule of law and the Communist Party’s insistence that the judicial system serve the party† (Jacobs, p,1). It must also be noted that this is not the first time that China has pledge to initiate change and yet unable to pull the trigger so to speak. In 1995 the Chinese government sent a report to the United Nations committee against torture and in that said report they made known their intention to institute legal reforms specifically amendments to the Criminal Procedure Law (Holmstrom, p.26) However, the committee was dismayed when it discovered that the report is lacking in the most important issues, for instance: â€Å"The failure to incorporate the crime of torture into the domestic legal system, in terms consistent with the definition contained in article 1 of the Convention† (Holmstrom, p.26). Nevertheless, the embarrassment generated by the wrong conviction of two men who were under duress when their confessions were taken can be the real wake-up call needed by China. It must also be pointed out that the United Nations can only be certain of success if it can convince China to acknowledge that there are various forms of torture. Although China already outlawed torture as stated in a report they submitted to the UN Committee against torture, they simply defined torture as leaving physical marks, a definition so narrow it provided a way for officials to use other methods that can contravene UN standards (Watts, p.1) For instance many torture victims were manacled in contorted positions, were deprived of sleep and subjected to psychological forms harsh treatment and all of these does not leave a mark but it does leave a lasting impact to the mind and spirit of the human being in custody (Watts, p.1). This has to stop. Conclusion International leaders, especially the United Nations were aware that torture is rampant in China. The international community already condemned these barbarous acts especially when it comes to using torture against dissidents – people who held dissimilar views than the government. In the United States it is called fr eedom of expression; in China it can be grounds for arrest and in some instance giving police officers the right to torture suspects in their custody. It is a good thing that China is finally able to acknowledge the problem and has declared it illegal to use torture to obtain information from witnesses and to coerce a confession from a suspect. However, the United Nations must not give up the fight until the Chinese government will come to realize that the accurate definition of torture is found in the UN and not in the papers drafted by China’s communist party. Works Cited Holmstrom, Leif. Conclusions and Recommendations of the UN Committee Against  Torture. MA: Kluwer Law International, 2000. Hornby, Lucy. â€Å"New China rules rule out torture in confessions.† Web. Jacobs, Andrew. â€Å"China Bans Court Evidence Gained Through Torture.† The New York  Times. Web. Lipton, Edward. Religious Freedom in Asia. New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2002. Nelan, B. et al. â€Å"Farewell My Trade Status.† Web. United Nations. â€Å"CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.† Web. Watts, Jonathan. â€Å"Torture still widespread in China, says UN investigator.† Web. This essay on Torture in China: Then and Now was written and submitted by user Konner Cantrell to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Un-Answered Questions Into Essay Topics about Animals Revealed

Un-Answered Questions Into Essay Topics about Animals Revealed The Foolproof Essay Topics about Animals Strategy If you want you get a prosperous marriage, if you'd like to make certain you have a happy wedded life, you have to make sure you adopt meaningful and productive strategies to be applied in resolving conflict. Most issues can have essays on all the above mentioned questions. After all, education is about cooperation. The political problems are among the more important challenges in Nigeria. The only means to stop illegal immigration is to create changes in rules. Your marriage isn't considered doomed if you don't have given up. It will not be better if you just sit there and wait for things to happen. Keeping your marriage alive isn't a simple job but it's not tough either. Essay Topics about Animals Secrets That No One Else Knows About Inspiration to make your own advertising or media argumentative essay topics isn't challenging to discover. Every one of the topics is fairly uncomplicated and would result in a nice and intriguing research. Researching the topic will enable you to find out more about what fascinates you, and should you pick something you really like, writing the essay will be more enjoyable. Following are a few of the suggested sociology essay topic for those students that are unable to pick a great topic for their assignment. You're then requested to prove your thesis with good evidence to back this up. You have to be able to use persuasive language. School tests aren't effective. The most important reasoning for domestication of animals is to assist people. Once you do this, you will need to earn a comprehensive outline. So as to compose an excellent academic essay on animals, you must comprehend the subject really well. Most people today keep cats as pets for the interest of style. It shouldn't be difficult that you create a persuasive work on animals. With respect to the exploitation of animals, individuals believe it's acceptable for many factors. There are a few pet animals that are permitted to stay with us freely. To compose a persuasive paper on animals, you must select a great subject issue. Others might point to the concept people are prepared to pay for prostitutes. There are all sorts of controversial issues in the present world that revolve around animals. There are several persuasive subjects out there regarding animals that you are able to write about. The first thing you might want to do once you've chosen your topic is to start with writing an outline. When you have defined what your topic may imply and collected a great deal of reliable literature, you may make a plan for your paper. With all these things to argue about and for, it may be a bit overwhelming to develop a topic by yourself. When you're picking your topic, remember that it's much simpler to write about something which you presently have interest ineven in case you don't know a great deal about it. To choose which subject you're likely to discuss, it's essential to see the complete collection of good persuasiv e speech topics from the special area of study. As you have decided what you wish to investigate and write about, it is crucial to comprehend what exactly can develop into the subject and the primary focus of your writing. Do a little research online and find something which you love. 1 important and appropriate subject is technology. During middle school, higher school, and college, you will likely have to compose numerous persuasive essays. If you would like to write well, it's important to choose a topic that you're actually interested in knowing more about. It is possible to speak to other students if you discover that it's tough to pick a very good subject issue. Students are accustomed to the simple fact which their professors give them with the assignment's topic.

Writing a Good Research Paper Topic

Writing a Good Research Paper TopicIt is a known fact that the number of published research papers has increased exponentially over the last several decades. This is due to the rapid growth of the knowledge in the field and also the emergence of novel techniques and instruments that have made it possible for researchers to do their own research at home. What are some good research paper topics?One reason why people come up with good research paper topics is the fact that these subjects are easier to write about. Another reason is the fact that some subject areas are too wide open to be suitable for research purposes. The research papers are thus written from scratch and can range from a single reference to a research paper with a wide-ranging scope. Thus, it is necessary to have a good grounding of the subject before writing the research paper.A person must have some idea about the nature of their research before even thinking of writing a particular research paper topic. This helps the writer in creating a good theme for the paper. Some papers have been written that would be good as entertainment or pornography papers. The reason for this is that the readers tend to skim over them and get annoyed by the text. Since such papers deal with subjects that are more inappropriate for them, they give them a feel of what is going on in the home.Education is another area that is considered to be more of a people's business. People who are studying for their Bachelor's degrees or other professional degrees normally find it very difficult to pursue research work. To make their jobs easier, it is common for people to become good writers by writing blogs or journals. The topics are interesting to people and are normally the best research paper topics available.Business process management is another good topic. One has to think about the techniques used by a business and the methods adopted for running the business. How many levels of the hierarchy do the people in the compa ny to move through? What is the relationship between the various levels of the hierarchy? These are some of the questions that the writer can use to answer these issues in the article.What are some good research paper topics that have been used in earlier times? The common ones include the history of the country, the causes of poverty and hunger, the environment, democracy, etc. The same applies to the subjects that have been popular during the last couple of decades. For example, the recent wars have presented new challenges and methods that have to be dealt with.Researching has been in vogue since the dawn of mankind. It is seen as a waste of time and effort if the research that is done is not fruitful. In order to create a document that will be read by a large number of people, it is important that the work that has been done is as original as possible.The best way to find out what are some good research paper topics is to read what others have written. A person can look for such things on the internet. The keywords can help the writer to build a list of ideas. With these ideas and a reference book, the writer can go about finding the perfect topic.

Powerful Persuasive Essay - You Can Have One For Free!

Powerful Persuasive Essay - You Can Have One For Free!Can you have a powerful persuasive essay written for you? Yes, you can with a high quality topic statement that comes from a good writer.Your topic will be the first and most important element of your essay. Your essay should relate to your topic and be a reflection of you as a person. It should be concise, relevant and make you stand out from the crowd.Your topic will set your target audience at ease. You can go in with a very strong point but with a weak topic that is sure to fail the test of time. That is why you need to get a great topic writer for your writing project.A topic with full knowledge of the market you are trying to reach will do wonders for your efforts. If you don't know what your competition is doing, it's impossible to succeed. On the other hand, if you know what they are doing, you know what is working and what is not. Either way, you will be able to make a strong argument for your position in a way that is si mple to understand.If you do not have the benefit of your own personal knowledge of the subject you are writing about, you may want to consider getting advice from someone who has knowledge of it. Check with your teachers or even college professors on the topic that you may be writing about.If you are an educator, contact a writer in your area who works with students. This writer may be willing to write a persuasive essay for you, as long as you agree to not charge them for it. This is probably the best way to get a persuasive essay written for you, and it will keep you from making the same mistakes that you would make if you had a writer working on your project for free.Another way to get a writer to write your essay for you is to look for a writer in your area who will not charge you. Check with the New York Times writer down the street to see if she will help you. There are many writers in your area who would be happy to help you with your project.The above are a few ways you can have a powerful persuasive essay written for you. Get a high quality topic statement and get writing!

Sixth Term Examination Papers - Understanding the Task

Sixth Term Examination Papers - Understanding the TaskA sixth term examination in mathematics can be an amazing opportunity for your child to show his or her mathematical prowess. This course is a crucial part of your child's education and this year, it's especially important that you as a parent have an interest in this subject.The sixth term examination papers are designed to identify your child's potential to excel in mathematics. Every year, your child will take his or her placement test with the grade determined by this exam. There are two types of six-term examinations: placement tests and essay tests. With the sixth term examination papers, you'll have to carefully monitor your child's progress in order to make sure that he or she is maximizing the potential that this course offers.It's important that you read the exam papers thoroughly so that you can monitor your child's progress and determine where his or her strengths lie. Some topics on these paper exams could pose as maj or obstacles in math for your child, and therefore, you need to be ready with the proper skills that you can offer them so that they'll know how to tackle those issues head-on.Most sixth term examination papers will ask the student to solve a multiple-choice problem using at least two different methods of solving the problem. Common methods include substitution, single-step substitution, and bridge-and-level substitution. By knowing the different methods of solving problems and knowing how they all connect together, your child will have a better chance at grasping different methods and possibilities that he or she may encounter.The essays on these sixth term examination papers are a critical part of the process as well. The student will need to display his or her reasoning skills, ability to speak eloquently, and imagination. Your child must display a clear vision of the solution to the mathematical problem. They must show that they can clearly explain how the solution will work to their classmates and instructors.An important thing that most sixth term examination papers will ask the student to do is to have a certain number of his or her answers back proofread. Each and every question to ask the student to solve a mathematical problem using certain assumptions or rules. If the student has problems with this, he or she needs to have proofread his or her answers.If you've been following along with this article, then you understand that the purpose of the assignment is to determine if your child has a good chance of being admitted to college. These paper exams are designed to help your child achieve college readiness while ensuring that he or she can focus more effectively on studying.