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China Off US Rights Blacklist

State Dept. report drops China from top 10 worst abusers despite poor record

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 12, 2008 10:26 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The State Department has taken China off its list of the world's 10 worst human rights abusers, the New York Times reports. China's human rights record "remained poor," the department's annual report said, with abuses including "extrajudicial killings, torture, and coerced confessions of prisoners." Officials declined to explain why the country was dropped from the list or whether it had anything to do with the Beijing Olympics.

The report singled out North Korea, Myanmar, Iran, Syria, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Eritrea, and Sudan as the 10 worst offenders, and also highlighted many human rights violations in Russia. Human rights groups blasted the decision. “US authorities are depriving themselves of yet another effective way to pressure China," said one. "Without having achieved any good-will gesture from Beijing.”

Protestors carry signs outside of City Hall in San Francisco, Monday, March 10, 2008. Tibetan immigrants united in prayer in front of City Hall to protest San Francisco's hosting of the Olympic torch in April. Participants say the city, the torch's only North American stop, is renowned for its defense...
Protestors carry signs outside of City Hall in San Francisco, Monday, March 10, 2008. Tibetan immigrants united in prayer in front of City Hall to protest San Francisco's hosting of the Olympic torch...   (Associated Press)
A Chinese paramilitary police and a police woman checks on a woman while police officers march past near the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Tuesday, March 11, 2008. Security at the area remain tight as thousands of delegates from around China gather in the Chinese capital for...
A Chinese paramilitary police and a police woman checks on a woman while police officers march past near the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Tuesday, March 11, 2008. Security at the area remain...   (Associated Press)
Chinese police officers patrol outside the Great Hall of the People. The State Department's annual human rights report has dropped China from the list of the worst human rights abusers despite admitting that the country's record remains poor. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Chinese police officers patrol outside the Great Hall of the People. The State Department's annual human rights report has dropped China from the list of the worst human rights abusers despite admitting...   (Associated Press)
Buddhist monks stand in front of riot police as they demonstrate in Yangon Myanmar on Wednesday Sept. 26, 2007. Myanmar remains on State Department's list of the worst human rights abusers in the world, along with Belarus, Eritrea, Cuba, North Korea, Syria, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe, Sudan, and Iran. (AP Photo/Democratic Voice...
Buddhist monks stand in front of riot police as they demonstrate in Yangon Myanmar on Wednesday Sept. 26, 2007. Myanmar remains on State Department's list of the worst human rights abusers in the world,...   (Associated Press)
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Report backs off China, targets Russia
Reuters

Critics say move is pre-Olympics concession to China
Washington Times

Annual report highlights human rights violatins
Voice of America

The report for 2007, country by country
U.S. State Department

World • US

 
China • Iran • Russia • North Korea • torture • Zimbabwe • Syria • human rights • Sudan • State Department • Cuba • Amnesty International • 2008 Beijing Olympics • Belarus • Burma • human rights abuse • Eritrea • human rights violations • Uzbekistan

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