2010, May 30

While laws banning torture have been in effect in China since 1996, they have been often disregarded in the past. In a landmark decision Zhao Zuohai's conviction for murder was reversed today, because he was beaten by police until he confessed. He was payed $96,000 in compensation for having spend 11 years in jail for murder that apparently never happened. The two policement who had beaten Zhao have been arrested.

Commentary: By issuing two specific directives banning evidence obtained under torture from the legal process, China has made important steps towards protection of human rights and a full implementation of the rule of law. Lawyers and legal scholars praised this decisions.

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