[JURIST] A US congressional panel said Tuesday that China [JURIST news archive] had made no significant progress in human rights or law reform over the past year despite announced efforts in those areas. The 2005 Annual Report [full text] of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China [official website] noted ongoing abuses of political and religious rights and freedom of expression, such as harassing and repressing of Muslims and Tibetans, imposing restrictions on religious practices, and increased intimidation and imprisonment of journalists, editors, and writers. The report said Beijing is pressing on with judicial and criminal reforms [JURIST report] that may improve human rights, but criticised government repression and detention of those who challenge state monopolies on religion, speech or assembly. The panel was highly critical of China's criminal judicial system, especially wrongful convictions, using administrative procedures and arbitrary decisions. The annual report was approved in a 18-1 decision, with one Commissioner answering “present”. AP has more.
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