2008_MC Human_JJ Rights_NN2 Report_NN1 :_: China_NP1 (_( includes_VVZ Tibet_NP1 ,_, Hong_NP1 Kong_NP1 ,_, and_CC Macau_NP1 )_) The_AT People_NN 's_GE Republic_NN1 of_IO China_NP1 ,_, with_IW a_AT1 population_NN1 of_IO approximately_RR 1.3_MC billion_NNO ,_, is_VBZ an_AT1 authoritarian_JJ state_NN1 in_II which_DDQ the_AT Chinese_JJ Communist_JJ Party_NN1 (_( CCP_NP1 )_) constitutionally_RR is_VBZ the_AT paramount_JJ source_NN1 of_IO power_NN1 ._. 
Party_NN1 members_NN2 hold_VV0 almost_RR all_DB top_JJ government_NN1 ,_, police_NN2 ,_, and_CC military_JJ positions_NN2 ._. 
Ultimate_JJ authority_NN1 rests_VVZ with_IW the_AT 25-member_JJ political_JJ bureau_NN1 (_( Politburo_NN1 )_) of_IO the_AT CCP_NP1 and_CC its_APPGE nine-member_JJ standing_NN1 committee_NN1 ._. 
Hu_NP1 Jintao_NP1 holds_VVZ the_AT three_MC most_RGT powerful_JJ positions_NN2 as_CSA CCP_NP1 general_JJ secretary_NN1 ,_, president_NN1 ,_, and_CC chairman_NN1 of_IO the_AT Central_JJ Military_JJ Commission_NN1 ._. 
Civilian_JJ authorities_NN2 generally_RR maintained_VVN effective_JJ control_NN1 of_IO the_AT security_NN1 forces_NN2 ._. 
The_AT government_NN1 's_GE human_JJ rights_NN2 record_NN1 remained_VVD poor_JJ and_CC worsened_VVN in_II some_DD areas_NN2 ._. 
During_II the_AT year_NNT1 the_AT government_NN1 increased_VVD its_APPGE severe_JJ cultural_JJ and_CC religious_JJ repression_NN1 of_IO ethnic_JJ minorities_NN2 in_II Tibetan_JJ areas_NN2 and_CC the_AT Xinjiang_NP1 Uighur_NP1 Autonomous_JJ Region_NN1 (_( XUAR_NP1 )_) ,_, increased_JJ detention_NN1 and_CC harassment_NN1 of_IO dissidents_NN2 and_CC petitioners_NN2 ,_, and_CC maintained_VVD tight_RR controls_VVZ on_II freedom_NN1 of_IO speech_NN1 and_CC the_AT Internet_NN1 ._. 
Abuses_NN2 peaked_VVN around_II high-profile_JJ events_NN2 ,_, such_II21 as_II22 the_AT Olympics_NN2 and_CC the_AT unrest_NN1 in_II Tibet_NP1 ._. 
As_CSA in_II previous_JJ years_NNT2 ,_, citizens_NN2 did_VDD not_XX have_VHI the_AT right_NN1 to_TO change_VVI their_APPGE government_NN1 ._. 
Nongovernmental_JJ organizations_NN2 (_( NGOs_NP2 )_) ,_, both_RR local_JJ and_CC international_JJ ,_, continued_VVD to_TO face_VVI intense_JJ scrutiny_NN1 and_CC restrictions_NN2 ._. 
Other_JJ serious_JJ human_JJ rights_NN2 abuses_NN2 included_VVD extrajudicial_JJ killings_NN2 ,_, torture_NN1 and_CC coerced_VVD confessions_NN2 of_IO prisoners_NN2 ,_, and_CC the_AT use_NN1 of_IO forced_JJ labor_NN1 ,_, including_II prison_NN1 labor_NN1 ._. 
Workers_NN2 can_VM not_XX choose_VVI an_AT1 independent_JJ union_NN1 to_TO represent_VVI them_PPHO2 in_II the_AT workplace_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT law_NN1 does_VDZ not_XX protect_VVI workers_NN2 '_GE right_NN1 to_TO strike_VVI ._. 
The_AT government_NN1 continued_VVD to_TO monitor_VVI ,_, harass_VV0 ,_, detain_VV0 ,_, arrest_VV0 ,_, and_CC imprison_VV0 journalists_NN2 ,_, writers_NN2 ,_, activists_NN2 ,_, and_CC defense_NN1 lawyers_NN2 and_CC their_APPGE families_NN2 ,_, many_DA2 of_IO whom_PNQO were_VBDR seeking_VVG to_TO exercise_VVI their_APPGE rights_NN2 under_II the_AT law_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 lack_NN1 of_IO due_JJ process_NN1 and_CC restrictions_NN2 on_II lawyers_NN2 further_RRR limited_JJ progress_NN1 toward_II rule_NN1 of_IO law_NN1 ,_, with_IW serious_JJ consequences_NN2 for_IF defendants_NN2 who_PNQS were_VBDR imprisoned_VVN or_CC executed_VVD following_VVG proceedings_NN2 that_CST fell_VVD far_RR short_JJ of_IO international_JJ standards_NN2 ._. 
The_AT party_NN1 and_CC state_NN1 exercised_VVN strict_JJ political_JJ control_NN1 of_IO courts_NN2 and_CC judges_NN2 ,_, conducted_VVD closed_JJ trials_NN2 ,_, and_CC carried_VVD out_RP administrative_JJ detention_NN1 ._. 
Individuals_NN2 and_CC groups_NN2 ,_, especially_RR those_DD2 deemed_VVN politically_RR sensitive_JJ by_II the_AT government_NN1 ,_, continued_VVD to_TO face_VVI tight_JJ restrictions_NN2 on_II their_APPGE freedom_NN1 to_TO assemble_VVI ,_, their_APPGE freedom_NN1 to_II practice_NN1 religion_NN1 ,_, and_CC their_APPGE freedom_NN1 to_TO travel_VVI ._. 
The_AT government_NN1 continued_VVD its_APPGE coercive_JJ birth_NN1 limitation_NN1 policy_NN1 ,_, in_II some_DD cases_NN2 resulting_VVG in_II forced_JJ abortion_NN1 or_CC forced_JJ sterilization_NN1 ._. 
The_AT government_NN1 failed_VVD to_TO protect_VVI refugees_NN2 adequately_RR ,_, and_CC the_AT detention_NN1 and_CC forced_JJ repatriation_NN1 of_IO North_NP1 Koreans_NN2 continued_VVD to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 problem_NN1 ._. 
Serious_JJ social_JJ conditions_NN2 that_CST affected_VVD human_JJ rights_NN2 included_VVD endemic_JJ corruption_NN1 ,_, trafficking_VVG in_II persons_NN2 ,_, and_CC discrimination_NN1 against_II women_NN2 ,_, minorities_NN2 ,_, and_CC persons_NN2 with_IW disabilities_NN2 ._. 
On_II October_NPM1 17_MC ,_, the_AT government_NN1 made_VVD permanent_JJ rules_NN2 granting_VVG foreign_JJ journalists_NN2 greater_JJR freedoms_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ were_VBDR initially_RR applied_VVN in_II the_AT period_NN1 leading_VVG up_II21 to_II22 and_CC during_II the_AT Olympic_JJ Games_NN2 ._. 
The_AT new_JJ rules_NN2 eliminated_VVD previous_JJ requirements_NN2 that_CST foreign_JJ journalists_NN2 first_MD seek_VV0 permission_NN1 from_II local_JJ officials_NN2 before_II conducting_VVG interviews_NN2 in_II a_AT1 particular_JJ province_NN1 or_CC locality_NN1 ._. 
RESPECT_NN1 FOR_IF HUMAN_JJ RIGHTS_NN2 Section_NN1 1_MC1 Respect_NN1 for_IF the_AT Integrity_NN1 of_IO the_AT Person_NN1 ,_, Including_II Freedom_NN1 From_II :_: a_AT1 ._. 
Arbitrary_JJ or_CC Unlawful_JJ Deprivation_NN1 of_IO Life_NN1 During_II the_AT year_NNT1 security_NN1 forces_NN2 reportedly_RR committed_VVN arbitrary_JJ or_CC unlawful_JJ killings_NN2 ._. 
No_AT official_JJ statistics_NN on_II deaths_NN2 in_II custody_NN1 were_VBDR available_JJ ._. 
The_AT outbreak_NN1 of_IO widespread_JJ unrest_NN1 in_II the_AT Tibet_NP1 Autonomous_JJ Region_NN1 (_( TAR_NN1 )_) and_CC other_JJ Tibetan_JJ areas_NN2 in_II March_NPM1 and_CC April_NPM1 resulted_VVD in_II significant_JJ loss_NN1 of_IO life_NN1 ,_, with_IW many_DA2 credible_JJ reports_NN2 putting_VVG the_AT number_NN1 killed_VVN at_II over_RG 200_MC (_( see_VV0 Tibet_NP1 Addendum_NN1 )_) ._. 
On_II January_NPM1 7_MC ,_, Wei_NP1 Wenhua_NP1 was_VBDZ beaten_VVN to_II death_NN1 by_II municipal_JJ "_" urban_JJ management_NN1 "_" officials_NN2 in_II Tianmen_NP1 ,_, Hubei_NP1 Province_NN1 ,_, after_CS he_PPHS1 filmed_VVD their_APPGE clash_NN1 with_IW local_JJ residents_NN2 on_II his_APPGE mobile_JJ phone_NN1 ._. 
Authorities_NN2 detained_VVN 41_MC officials_NN2 and_CC sentenced_VVN four_MC to_II short_JJ prison_NN1 terms_NN2 for_IF their_APPGE role_NN1 in_II Wei_NP1 's_GE death_NN1 ._. 
On_II February_NPM1 6_MC ,_, authorities_NN2 reportedly_RR instructed_VVD the_AT family_NN1 of_IO Falun_NP1 Gong_NP1 practitioner_NN1 Yu_NP1 Zhou_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS had_VHD been_VBN arrested_VVN in_II Beijing_NP1 on_II January_NPM1 26_MC ,_, to_TO come_VVI to_II an_AT1 emergency_NN1 center_NN1 to_TO see_VVI him_PPHO1 ._. 
Yu_NP1 was_VBDZ dead_JJ when_CS the_AT family_NN1 arrived_VVD ,_, and_CC authorities_NN2 claimed_VVD he_PPHS1 had_VHD died_VVN of_IO diabetes_NN1 ._. 
However_RR ,_, Yu_NP1 's_GE family_NN1 stated_VVD that_CST he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ healthy_JJ at_II the_AT time_NNT1 of_IO his_APPGE arrest_NN1 and_CC that_CST authorities_NN2 refused_VVD the_AT family_NN1 's_GE request_NN1 for_IF an_AT1 autopsy_NN1 ._. 
On_II May_NPM1 26_MC ,_, the_AT family_NN1 of_IO Tibetan_JJ protester_NN1 Paltsal_NP1 Kyab_NP1 was_VBDZ informed_VVN he_PPHS1 died_VVD in_II custody_NN1 ,_, after_CS he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ detained_VVN in_II April_NPM1 for_IF participating_VVG in_II a_AT1 March_NPM1 17_MC protest_NN1 ._. 
Authorities_NN2 claimed_VVD Paltsal_NP1 Kyab_NP1 had_VHD died_VVN from_II kidney_NN1 and_CC stomach_NN1 problems_NN2 ,_, although_CS relatives_NN2 reported_VVD he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ healthy_JJ at_II the_AT time_NNT1 of_IO his_APPGE arrest_NN1 ._. 
According_II21 to_II22 witnesses_NN2 his_APPGE body_NN1 was_VBDZ covered_VVN with_IW bruises_NN2 and_CC burn_VV0 blisters_NN2 ._. 
There_EX were_VBDR no_AT reports_NN2 of_IO any_DD official_JJ investigation_NN1 into_II his_APPGE death_NN1 ._. 
On_II July_NPM1 16_MC ,_, 100_MC individuals_NN2 reportedly_RR attacked_VVN police_NN2 in_II Huizhou_NP1 ,_, Guangdong_NP1 Province_NN1 ,_, after_CS a_AT1 motorcyclist_NN1 died_VVD ._. 
Police_NN2 reported_VVD the_AT man_NN1 died_VVD in_II a_AT1 traffic_NN1 accident_NN1 but_CCB his_APPGE relatives_NN2 claimed_VVD he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ beaten_VVN to_II death_NN1 by_II security_NN1 guards_NN2 ._. 
There_EX were_VBDR no_AT developments_NN2 in_II a_AT1 2007_MC incident_NN1 in_II which_DDQ 18_MC persons_NN2 were_VBDR killed_VVN and_CC 17_MC were_VBDR arrested_VVN during_II a_AT1 raid_NN1 at_II a_AT1 location_NN1 in_II the_AT XUAR_NN1 that_CST officials_NN2 called_VVN a_AT1 terrorist_JJ training_NN1 camp_NN1 ._. 
Defendants_NN2 in_II criminal_JJ proceedings_NN2 were_VBDR executed_VVN following_II convictions_NN2 that_CST sometimes_RT took_VVD place_NN1 under_II circumstances_NN2 involving_VVG severe_JJ lack_NN1 of_IO due_JJ process_NN1 and_CC inadequate_JJ channels_NN2 for_IF appeal_NN1 ._. 
On_II November_NPM1 26_MC ,_, Yang_NP1 Jia_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS was_VBDZ accused_VVN of_IO killing_VVG six_MC Shanghai_NP1 police_NN2 officers_NN2 on_II July_NPM1 1_MC1 ,_, was_VBDZ executed_VVN following_II a_AT1 decision_NN1 by_II the_AT Shanghai_NP1 High_JJ Court_NN1 to_TO uphold_VVI his_APPGE conviction_NN1 ._. 
Yang_NP1 's_GE case_NN1 included_VVD serious_JJ irregularities_NN2 at_II trial_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT appellate_JJ court_NN1 deprived_VVD him_PPHO1 an_AT1 opportunity_NN1 to_TO be_VBI examined_VVN for_IF mental_JJ illness_NN1 despite_II a_AT1 request_NN1 by_II Yang_NP1 's_GE new_JJ attorney_NN1 to_TO allow_VVI it_PPH1 ._. 
On_II November_NPM1 28_MC ,_, biomedical_JJ researcher_NN1 Wo_NP1 Weihan_NP1 was_VBDZ executed_VVN on_II charges_NN2 of_IO espionage_NN1 ._. 
Wo_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS was_VBDZ convicted_VVN in_II a_AT1 closed_JJ trial_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ reportedly_RR coerced_VVN into_II confessing_VVG and_CC mistreated_VVD in_II detention_NN1 ._. 
Executions_NN2 of_IO Uighurs_NN2 whom_PNQO authorities_NN2 accused_VVN of_IO separatism_NN1 ,_, but_CCB which_DDQ some_DD observers_NN2 claimed_VVD were_VBDR politically_RR motivated_VVN ,_, were_VBDR reported_VVN during_II prior_JJ reporting_NN1 periods_NN2 ._. 
In_II February_NPM1 2007_MC authorities_NN2 executed_VVD Ismail_NP1 Semed_VVD ,_, an_AT1 ethnic_JJ Uighur_NN1 from_II the_AT XUAR_NN1 ,_, following_VVG 2005_MC convictions_NN2 for_IF "_" attempting_VVG to_TO split_VVI the_AT motherland_NN1 "_" and_CC other_JJ counts_NN2 related_VVN to_II possession_NN1 of_IO firearms_NN2 and_CC explosives._NNU b_ZZ1 ._. 
Disappearance_NN1 In_II May_NPM1 underground_JJ Catholic_JJ priests_NN2 Zhang_VV0 Li_NP1 and_CC Zhang_NP1 Jianlin_NP1 disappeared_VVD after_II authorities_NN2 detained_VVN them_PPHO2 while_CS they_PPHS2 were_VBDR preparing_VVG to_TO visit_VVI a_AT1 Catholic_JJ shrine_NN1 in_II Sheshan_NP1 Province_NN1 ._. 
At_II year_NNT1 's_GE end_VV0 their_APPGE whereabouts_NN2 remained_VVD unknown_JJ ._. 
The_AT whereabouts_NN2 of_IO Wu_NP1 Qinjing_NP1 ,_, the_AT bishop_NN1 of_IO Zhouzhi_NP1 ,_, Shaanxi_JJ Province_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS was_VBDZ detained_VVN in_II March_NPM1 2007_MC ,_, also_RR remained_VVD unknown_JJ ._. 
Human_JJ rights_NN2 defender_NN1 Gao_NP1 Zhisheng_NP1 was_VBDZ detained_VVN and_CC questioned_VVN several_DA2 times_NNT2 over_II the_AT past_JJ two_MC years_NNT2 ,_, and_CC during_II the_AT reporting_NN1 period_NN1 his_APPGE whereabouts_NN2 were_VBDR unknown_JJ ._. 
There_EX were_VBDR no_AT new_JJ developments_NN2 in_II the_AT September_NPM1 2007_MC disappearances_NN2 of_IO 21_MC farmers_NN2 who_PNQS reportedly_RR traveled_VVD from_II Chengdu_NP1 to_II Beijing_NP1 to_TO petition_VVI the_AT government_NN1 in_II a_AT1 land_NN1 compensation_NN1 case_NN1 ._. 
At_II year_NNT1 's_GE end_NN1 the_AT government_NN1 still_RR had_VHD not_XX provided_VVN a_AT1 comprehensive_JJ ,_, credible_JJ accounting_NN1 of_IO all_DB those_DD2 killed_VVN ,_, missing_VVG ,_, or_CC detained_VVN in_II31 connection_II32 with_II33 the_AT violent_JJ suppression_NN1 of_IO the_AT 1989_MC Tiananmen_NP1 demonstrations._NNU c_ZZ1 ._. 
Torture_VV0 and_CC Other_JJ Cruel_JJ ,_, Inhuman_JJ ,_, or_CC Degrading_VVG Treatment_NN1 or_CC Punishment_NN1 The_AT law_NN1 prohibits_VVZ the_AT physical_JJ abuse_NN1 of_IO detainees_NN2 and_CC forbids_VVZ prison_NN1 guards_NN2 from_II extracting_VVG confessions_NN2 by_II torture_NN1 ,_, insulting_JJ prisoners_NN2 '_GE dignity_NN1 ,_, and_CC beating_NN1 or_CC encouraging_JJ others_NN2 to_TO beat_VVI prisoners_NN2 ._. 
However_RR ,_, during_II the_AT year_NNT1 there_EX were_VBDR reports_NN2 that_CST officials_NN2 used_VVD electric_JJ shocks_NN2 ,_, beatings_NN2 ,_, shackles_NN2 ,_, and_CC other_JJ forms_NN2 of_IO abuse_NN1 ._. 
Mao_NP1 Hengfeng_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 family_NN1 planning_NN1 issues_NN2 petitioner_NN1 ,_, reportedly_RR was_VBDZ physically_RR and_CC mentally_RR abused_VVN in_II prison_NN1 ._. 
During_II an_AT1 August_NPM1 13_MC phone_NN1 call_NN1 ,_, Mao_NP1 reportedly_RR told_VVD her_APPGE husband_NN1 that_CST scars_VVZ on_II her_APPGE wrists_NN2 that_CST resulted_VVD from_II being_VBG tied_VVN up_RP tightly_RR had_VHD not_XX healed_VVN ._. 
On_II May_NPM1 22_MC ,_, Heilongjiang_NP1 resident_NN1 and_CC reform_NN1 activist_NN1 Liu_NP1 Jie_NP1 was_VBDZ transferred_VVN from_II a_AT1 Qiqihar_NN1 reeducation_NN1 through_II labor_NN1 (_( RTL_NP1 )_) camp_NN1 to_II the_AT Harbin_NN1 Drug_NN1 Rehabilitation_NN1 Center_NN1 ,_, where_CS she_PPHS1 reportedly_RR was_VBDZ tortured_VVN ._. 
Human_JJ rights_NN2 organizations_NN2 also_RR reported_VVN democracy_NN1 activist_NN1 and_CC member_NN1 of_IO the_AT China_NP1 Democracy_NN1 Party_NN1 (_( CDP_NP1 )_) Chi_NP1 Jianwei_NP1 reportedly_RR was_VBDZ tortured_VVN in_II July_NPM1 2007_MC for_IF refusing_VVG to_TO confess_VVI to_II "_" using_VVG an_AT1 evil_JJ cult_NN1 to_TO hinder_VVI law_NN1 enforcement_NN1 ._. "_" 
In_II November_NPM1 the_AT UN_NP1 Committee_NN1 Against_II Torture_NN1 (_( UNCAT_NP1 )_) stated_VVD its_APPGE deep_JJ concern_NN1 about_II the_AT routine_NN1 and_CC widespread_JJ use_NN1 of_IO torture_NN1 and_CC ill-treatment_NN1 of_IO suspects_NN2 in_II police_NN2 custody_NN1 ,_, especially_RR to_TO extract_VVI confessions_NN2 or_CC information_NN1 used_VVN in_II criminal_JJ proceedings_NN2 ._. 
However_RR ,_, UNCAT_NP1 did_VDD acknowledge_VVI government_NN1 efforts_NN2 to_TO address_VVI the_AT practice_NN1 of_IO torture_NN1 and_CC related_JJ problems_NN2 in_II the_AT criminal_JJ justice_NN1 system_NN1 ._. 
Many_DA2 alleged_JJ acts_NN2 of_IO torture_NN1 occurred_VVD in_II pretrial_JJ criminal_JJ detention_NN1 centers_NN2 or_CC RTL_NP1 centers_NN2 ._. 
Sexual_JJ and_CC physical_JJ abuse_NN1 and_CC extortion_NN1 occurred_VVD in_II some_DD detention_NN1 centers_NN2 ._. 
According_II21 to_II22 foreign_JJ researchers_NN2 ,_, the_AT country_NN1 had_VHD 20_MC ankang_NN1 institutions_NN2 (_( high-security_JJ psychiatric_JJ hospitals_NN2 for_IF the_AT criminally_RR insane_JJ )_) directly_RR administered_VVN by_II the_AT Ministry_NN1 of_IO Public_JJ Security_NN1 (_( MPS_NNU )_) ._. 
Political_JJ activists_NN2 ,_, underground_JJ religious_JJ believers_NN2 ,_, persons_NN2 who_PNQS repeatedly_RR petitioned_VVD the_AT government_NN1 ,_, members_NN2 of_IO the_AT banned_JJ Chinese_JJ Democracy_NN1 Party_NN1 (_( CDP_NP1 )_) ,_, and_CC Falun_NP1 Gong_NP1 adherents_NN2 were_VBDR among_II those_DD2 housed_VVN with_IW mentally_RR ill_JJ patients_NN2 in_II these_DD2 institutions_NN2 ,_, and_CC they_PPHS2 had_VHD no_AT mechanism_NN1 for_IF objecting_VVG to_II public_JJ security_NN1 officials_NN2 '_GE determinations_NN2 of_IO mental_JJ illness_NN1 ._. 
Patients_NN2 in_II these_DD2 hospitals_NN2 reportedly_RR were_VBDR given_VVN medicine_NN1 against_II their_APPGE will_NN1 and_CC forcibly_RR subjected_VVN to_II electric_JJ shock_NN1 treatment_NN1 ._. 
The_AT regulations_NN2 for_IF committing_VVG a_AT1 person_NN1 to_II an_AT1 ankang_NN1 facility_NN1 were_VBDR not_XX clear_JJ ._. 
Activists_NN2 sentenced_VVN to_II administrative_JJ detention_NN1 also_RR reported_VVD they_PPHS2 were_VBDR strapped_VVN to_II beds_NN2 or_CC other_JJ devices_NN2 for_IF days_NNT2 at_II a_AT1 time_NNT1 ,_, beaten_VVN ,_, forcibly_RR injected_VVN or_CC fed_VVD medications_NN2 ,_, and_CC denied_JJ food_NN1 and_CC use_NN1 of_IO toilet_NN1 facilities_NN2 ._. 
Prison_NN1 and_CC Detention_NN1 Center_NN1 Conditions_NN2 Conditions_NN2 in_II penal_JJ institutions_NN2 for_IF both_DB2 political_JJ prisoners_NN2 and_CC common_JJ criminals_NN2 generally_RR were_VBDR harsh_JJ and_CC often_RR degrading_VVG ._. 
Prisoners_NN2 and_CC detainees_NN2 often_RR were_VBDR kept_VVN in_II overcrowded_JJ conditions_NN2 with_IW poor_JJ sanitation_NN1 ._. 
Inadequate_JJ prison_NN1 capacity_NN1 was_VBDZ an_AT1 increasing_JJ problem_NN1 in_II some_DD areas_NN2 ._. 
Food_NN1 often_RR was_VBDZ inadequate_JJ and_CC of_IO poor_JJ quality_NN1 ,_, and_CC many_DA2 detainees_NN2 relied_VVN on_II supplemental_JJ food_NN1 and_CC medicines_NN2 provided_VVN by_II relatives_NN2 ;_; some_DD prominent_JJ dissidents_NN2 were_VBDR not_XX allowed_VVN to_TO receive_VVI such_DA goods_NN2 ._. 
Many_DA2 inmates_NN2 in_II penal_JJ and_CC RTL_NP1 facilities_NN2 were_VBDR required_VVN to_TO work_VVI ,_, with_IW minimal_JJ or_CC no_AT remuneration_NN1 ._. 
In_II some_DD cases_NN2 prisoners_NN2 worked_VVN in_II facilities_NN2 directly_RR connected_VVN with_IW penal_JJ institutions_NN2 ;_; in_II other_JJ cases_NN2 they_PPHS2 were_VBDR contracted_VVN to_II nonprison_NN1 enterprises_NN2 ._. 
Former_DA prison_NN1 inmates_NN2 reported_VVD that_CST workers_NN2 who_PNQS refused_VVD to_TO work_VVI in_II some_DD prisons_NN2 were_VBDR beaten_VVN ._. 
Facilities_NN2 and_CC their_APPGE management_NN1 profited_VVD from_II inmate_NN1 labor_NN1 ._. 
In_II January_NPM1 2007_MC Ministry_NN1 of_IO Health_NN1 spokesman_NN1 Mao_NP1 Qunan_NP1 reportedly_RR acknowledged_VVN that_CST the_AT government_NN1 harvested_VVD organs_NN2 from_II executed_JJ prisoners_NN2 ._. 
Adequate_JJ ,_, timely_JJ medical_JJ care_NN1 for_IF prisoners_NN2 remained_VVD a_AT1 serious_JJ problem_NN1 ,_, despite_II official_JJ assurances_NN2 that_CST prisoners_NN2 have_VH0 the_AT right_NN1 to_TO prompt_VVI medical_JJ treatment_NN1 ._. 
In_II October_NPM1 2007_MC Chen_NP1 Ningbiao_NP1 died_VVD in_II prison_NN1 ,_, reportedly_RR due_II21 to_II22 mistreatment_NN1 and_CC denial_NN1 of_IO medical_JJ treatment_NN1 ._. 
Chen_NP1 was_VBDZ one_MC1 of_IO seven_MC villagers_NN2 who_PNQS led_VVD protests_NN2 against_II forced_JJ land_NN1 evictions_NN2 in_II April_NPM1 2007_MC ,_, and_CC was_VBDZ convicted_VVN of_IO "_" extortion_NN1 and_CC blackmail_NN1 ._. "_" 
Labor_NN1 activist_NN1 Yao_NP1 Fuxin_NP1 remained_VVD in_II prison_NN1 in_II very_RG poor_JJ health_NN1 ,_, in_RR21 part_RR22 because_II21 of_II22 abuse_NN1 suffered_VVN in_II prison_NN1 and_CC inadequate_JJ access_NN1 to_II medical_JJ attention_NN1 ._. 
Authorities_NN2 continued_VVD to_TO deny_VVI his_APPGE family_NN1 's_GE requests_NN2 for_IF medical_JJ parole_NN1 ._. 
The_AT poor_JJ health_NN1 of_IO reform_NN1 activist_NN1 Liu_NP1 Jie_NP1 reportedly_RR eroded_VVN further_RRR as_II a_AT1 result_NN1 of_IO inadequate_JJ medical_JJ care_NN1 and_CC other_JJ harsh_JJ treatment_NN1 suffered_VVN while_CS in_II detention_NN1 ._. 
In_II April_NPM1 cyber_NN1 dissident_NN1 He_PPHS1 Depu_NP1 wrote_VVD a_AT1 letter_NN1 to_II International_JJ Olympic_JJ Committee_NN1 President_NNB Jacques_NP1 Rogge_NP1 complaining_VVG about_II deteriorating_JJ conditions_NN2 for_IF himself_PPX1 and_CC other_JJ political_JJ prisoners_NN2 ._. 
Prison_NN1 officials_NN2 reportedly_RR denied_VVN a_AT1 February_NPM1 request_VV0 from_II family_NN1 members_NN2 that_CST He_PPHS1 be_VBI released_VVN on_II medical_JJ parole_NN1 ,_, and_CC He_PPHS1 's_VBZ health_NN1 reportedly_RR remained_VVD poor_JJ due_II21 to_II22 medical_JJ neglect_NN1 and_CC maltreatment_NN1 ._. 
Many_DA2 other_JJ prisoners_NN2 with_IW serious_JJ health_NN1 concerns_NN2 remained_VVN in_II prison_NN1 at_II year_NNT1 's_GE end_NN1 ._. 
Prison_NN1 officials_NN2 often_RR denied_VVN privileges_NN2 ,_, including_II the_AT ability_NN1 to_TO purchase_VVI outside_JJ food_NN1 ,_, make_VV0 telephone_NN1 calls_NN2 ,_, and_CC receive_VV0 family_NN1 visits_NN2 to_II those_DD2 who_PNQS refused_VVD to_TO acknowledge_VVI guilt_NN1 ._. 
Conditions_NN2 in_II administrative_JJ detention_NN1 facilities_NN2 ,_, such_II21 as_II22 RTL_NP1 camps_NN2 ,_, were_VBDR similar_JJ to_II those_DD2 in_II prisons_NN2 ._. 
Beating_VVG deaths_NN2 occurred_VVD in_II administrative_JJ detention_NN1 and_CC RTL_NP1 facilities_NN2 ._. 
The_AT law_NN1 requires_VVZ juveniles_NN2 to_TO be_VBI held_VVN separately_RR from_II adults_NN2 ,_, unless_CS facilities_NN2 are_VBR insufficient_JJ ._. 
In_II practice_NN1 children_NN2 sometimes_RT were_VBDR held_VVN with_IW adult_NN1 prisoners_NN2 and_CC required_VVN to_TO work_VVI ._. 
Political_JJ prisoners_NN2 were_VBDR segregated_VVN from_II each_PPX221 other_PPX222 and_CC placed_VVN with_IW common_JJ criminals_NN2 ,_, who_PNQS sometimes_RT beat_VV0 political_JJ prisoners_NN2 at_II the_AT instigation_NN1 of_IO guards_NN2 ._. 
Newly_RR arrived_VVN prisoners_NN2 or_CC those_DD2 who_PNQS refused_VVD to_TO acknowledge_VVI committing_VVG crimes_NN2 were_VBDR particularly_RR vulnerable_JJ to_II beatings_NN2 ._. 
The_AT government_NN1 generally_RR did_VDD not_XX permit_VVI independent_JJ monitoring_NN1 of_IO prisons_NN2 or_CC RTL_NP1 camps_NN2 ,_, and_CC prisoners_NN2 remained_VVD inaccessible_JJ to_II local_JJ and_CC international_JJ human_JJ rights_NN2 organizations_NN2 ,_, media_NN groups_NN2 ,_, and_CC the_AT International_JJ Committee_NN1 of_IO the_AT Red_JJ Cross_NN1 (_( ICRC_NP1 )_) ._. 
