Taiwan: International Human Rights Expert Says the CCP Should Allow Investigations Into the Allegations of Organ Harvesting

(Clearwisdom.net) By Zheng Xiaowei - May 22, 2007 - Mr. Theo van Boven, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and an international human rights issue expert from Holland, said during a visit to Taiwan that China has signed the UN Convention against Torture, so it should stop the torture. Mr. van Boven pointed out that since China denies the allegation of harvesting organs, the Chinese Government should allow professionals to conduct investigations into this issue in China.

Mr. Theo van Boven, from Holland, the former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and an international human rights issue expert

Mr. van Boven said during an interview in Taiwan that he received many materials about the persecution of Falun Gong when he was the UN Rapporteur. He has signed an open letter in Europe requiring the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to open the gates for professionals to conduct investigations into organ harvesting in China.

Mr. van Boven said that although the CCP has been denying the existence of organ harvesting, there are many conflicts between their official statements and information from individuals. Mr. van Boven said that it is difficult to know the details about the organ harvesting, since investigations are not allowed by the CCP. He emphasized that professionals should be allowed to conduct independent investigations.

He pointed out that China has signed the UN Conventions Against Torture, a document that requires the signing governments to conduct unbiased investigations as soon as allegations of torture are brought up.

The Olympic Games is a Chance for International Society to Help with the Human Rights Issues in China

Mr. van Boven said that the 2008 Olympic Games is a chance to observe the human rights issues in China. He pointed out that it is proper to connect the Olympic Games with the human rights issues, and that international society should use this chance to improve the human rights situation in China.

Seventy-three year-old Mr. van Boven has been concerned about human rights in China for a long time. When he was the UN Rapporteur, he mandated that investigations be conducted in China. Due to the Chinese government's refusals to cooperate, such investigations were never carried out. The current UN Rapporteur has gone to China, but due to all kinds of difficulties, he has only collected very little evidence.

Mr. van Boven said that the current rapporteur has made many good suggestions to improve human rights in China, but what is more important is to carry out these suggestions. International society should pay attention to the implementing of these suggestions in China.