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.

External Web Links:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/may/31/china-bans-evidence-obtained-by-torture/

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/world/asia/01china.html