Senator Mack and I introduced a resolution urging the Clinton administration to make every effort to pass a resolution on China at the U.N. Commission on Human Rights gathering which meets this month in Geneva. For the past 30 years, this Commission has monitored the compliance of different countries with human rights standards. It has investigated violations in countries in all parts of the world, rich and poor, weak and powerful alike. Since that time, the Clinton administration has made it clear that only significant, concrete improvements in the human rights conditions would justify a reconsideration of that commitment. China has failed to improve their human rights record, and, in fact, as we turn a blind eye to abuses, the situation appears to be deteriorating.
China continues to wage war against individual freedoms and human rights.
Hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of dissidents and advocates of political reform were detained just this past year. They included human rights and prodemocracy activists and members of religious groups. Many have been sentenced to long prison terms where they have been beaten, tortured, and denied medical care. Harry Wu, a man of extraordinary courage and character, has documented China's extensive prison-enforced labor system. According to Amnesty International, throughout China, mass summary executions continue to be carried out.