Amnesty says Chinese net users face torture, death
Amnesty International has released a new report on the fate of those arrested by the Chinese government on internet-related charges. Their press release, quoted below, claims two Falun Gong members have died in custody.
In report launched today (“People’s Republic of China: State Control of the Internet in China” – ASA 17/007/2002), Amnesty International records the cases of at least 33 people who have been detained or imprisoned for offences related to their use of the Internet. They range from political activists and writers to members of unofficial organizations, including the Falun Gong spiritual movement.[...]
One of the longest sentences has been passed against a former police officer, Li Dawei, (see: “People’s Republic of China: State control of the Internet in China: appeal cases” ASA17/046/2002), who has been sentenced for 11 years in prison for downloading articles from Chinese democracy websites abroad. All his appeals have been turned down.
Two of those detained for Internet-related offences have died in custody, apparently as a result of torture or ill-treatment at the hands of the police. Both are members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement, which was banned as a “heretical organization” in July 1999.
– Amnesty International, China: Internet users at risk of arbitrary detention, torture and even execution.