B4-0255/94

Resolution on the ill-treatment of and medical concern about Qin Yongmin, a Chinese prisoner of conscience in Wuhan City, China

The European Parliament,

A.deeply concerned about the continuing violation of human rights in the People's Republic of China and, in particular, the continuing illegal detention of political prisoners, some of them for several years,

B.concerned about the ill-treatment and medical condition of 41-year-old democracy-wall activist Qin Yongmin who is a former worker in the Wuhan Steel Mill,

C.disturbed that Qin Yongmin was taken into custody on 14 November 1993 after taking part in a meeting in Beijing to discuss a 'Peace Charter' and was then sentenced in January 1994 to two years of 're-education through labour' for 'seriously disturbing social order',

D.concerned that Qin Yongmin was previously arrested in November 1979, in April 1981 and in August 1993 and then held in custody - sometimes for several years - for his dissident activities,

E.particularly appalled that on 8 June 1994 and, again a few days later, Qin Yongmin was reportedly very badly beaten by prison warders and a fellow inmate, on the second occasion until he was left unconscious,

F.very concerned that he was not allowed to see a doctor until the end of July and that the very serious beatings, particularly on his penis and testicles, might have left them with permanent injuries,

1.Expresses concern at reports that Qin Yongmin has twice been severely beaten in detention;

2.Urges that he is given immediate medical treatment for any injuries he has sustained;

3.Calls for an investigation into the allegation of ill-treatment and for those responsible to be brought to justice;

4.Seeks assurances that Qin Yongmin will not be subject to any more ill-treatment in detention;

5.Calls on the Chinese authorities to release Qin Yongmin immediately and unconditionally as a prisoner of conscience arbitrarily detained for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and opinion;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and the Premier of the People's Republic of China.