CHINA - Sunday, 5-17-98

Beijing slammed the European Parliament yesterday for adopting a resolution denouncing trafficking in the organs of executed mainland prisoners.

"China condemns the motion passed on May 14 which condemns China's so-called sale of organs of executed prisoners," Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said.

"The motion is based on hearsay and this constitutes a slander on China with ulterior motives," he said.

European MPs on Thursday adopted a resolution denouncing trafficking in the organs of mainland prisoners sentenced to death and called on Beijing to immediately halt the practice. The deputies meeting in a plenary session of the Strasbourg-based Parliament also reiterated their "total opposition to capital punishment and their determined commitment" to universally abolish the death sentence.

In addition, they called on all EU ministers and on the European Commission to urge the United Nations to quickly set up an international commission of inquiry aimed at exposing the networks trafficking in the organs of prisoners both on the mainland and elsewhere.

(source: South China Morning Post)

Rick Halperin

AI-Texas