BEIJING (Reuters) - China is not doing enough to end torture by police and in jails where the practice is still widespread, a human rights group said a in new report. Human Rights in China said there was "ample evidence" of torture being used to extract confessions and as a tool of political repression.
It highlighted the case of rights activist Guo Feixiong,sentenced to five years in prison in 2007 on the pretext ofillegal business activities, who his wife said was convicted onthe basis of a confession extracted through torture.
"During his detention, he was interrogated round-the-clockfor 13 days, tied down to a wooden bed for 42 days with hisarms and legs shackled, and hung from the ceiling by his armswhile the police electrocuted his genitals with a high-voltagebaton," the group said.
China has vowed to stamp out torture in its judicialsystem, described as widespread by some critics, in the face ofinternational and domestic pressure.
"Many criminal suspects in China, as well as those who seekto defend the rights of others and speak out against injustice-- lawyers, environmental activists, petitioners -- have becomevictims of torture," said Sharon Hom, executive director ofHuman Rights in China.
"In failing to honour its obligation under internationaland Chinese law to prevent the use of torture to extractconfessions, the Chinese government violates the rights of itscitizens and undermines its professed commitment to therule-of-law," she added.
Chinese state media occasionally publicises cases wheretorture has been used by law enforcement officials.
In July, a Chinese court jailed a former anti-graftprosecutor for life for torturing a suspect to death, while hissuperior was sentenced to seven years in prison for trying tocover up the case.
Last year, a Beijing has upheld a 10-year jail sentence fora deputy police chief whose violent interrogations resulted ina robbery suspect having his arm amputated.
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Nick Macfie)