Although the Chinese Government admits to the existence of torture, it denies official responsibility and claims to oppose torture in its domestic laws and international agreements. However, China fails to live up to its live up to its promises in the following ways:

Torture is illegal in China under Article 43 of its code of criminal procedure.

BUT: the government does not make any significant effort to enforce this law, and continues to allow the courts to accept confessions as legitinate evidence.

China signed and ratified the UN Convention against Torture more than 20 years ago.

BUT: it has failed to frame its legal definition of torture in accordance with UN standards. China has not agreed to sign OPCAT, the Convention’s Optional Protocol, which would require its prisons to be regularly inspected by independent officials

Case study: Jigme Gyatso

"They would hang me up for several hours with my hands tied to a rope….. hanging from the ceiling and my feet above the ground. Then they would beat me on my face, chest, and back, with the full force of their fists. Finally, on one occasion, I had lost consciousness and was taken to a hospital. After I regained consciousness at the hospital, I was once again taken back to prison where they continued the practice of hanging me from the ceiling and beating me"

Click here for more on Jigme Gyatso's case
Click here for the UN's assessment of torture in Tibet, November 2008
Click here for the UN Special Rapporteur's 2006 report
Click here for background on torture in Tibet

Examples of torture Read testimonies from victims of torture and find out about the techniques used. Please note that this section contains graphic accounts of torture. Palden Gyatso (left) experienced brutal torture during 33 years imprisonment.   Read more

Political prisoners Folowing the protests which swept across Tibet in Spring 2008 and the subsequent brutal crackdowns, over 1,000 Tibetans are missing, presumed imprisoned, and are at severe risk of torture.     Read more

Free Tibet's evidence In October 2008, Free Tibet submitted evidence of torture to the UN, who agreed with our conclusions, stating that torture is 'widespread' and 'routine'. Lama Jigme's (left) case was included.   Read more

What you can do to help Find out how you can help prevent torture and other human rights abuses in Tibet. By writing to your local politicians, you can keep the pressure China to end torture in Tibet.   Read more