These journalists were not permitted to visit the Shanghai No 2 Social Welfare Institute where, according to the report, the problems were transferred following a cleanup of the Children's Welfare Institute in mid-1993. Pre-arranged visits and limited access are no safeguard against abuses and do little to restore confidence. In view of the factors above and the gravity of the allegations, we believe it is incumbent on the Chinese Government to demonstrate that such abuses do not result from official policy. The authorities must demonstrate that existing legislative protection of the rights of children in state care is effective in practice. Amnesty International calls on the Chinese Government to initiate new, thorough and impartial investigations into each allegation in an open and systematic way and to punish perpetrators in cases of proven abuse.
Credibility demands that the evidence obtained and findings revealed be published in full.
We also call on the government to allow unrestricted access to such institutions by independent observers. As a signatory to the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Chinese Government has the obligation to take all appropriate measures to effectively protect the rights of children. I look forward to receiving your response on this matter. I am copying this letter to the Minister of Civil Affairs for his information.