China defended its human-rights record yesterday, citing better living standards and legal reforms, even as activists announced the detention of three women who lost relatives in the 1989 Tiananmen Square attack on pro-democracy protesters.
China issued its report on human rights as the US seeks a UN resolution criticizing Beijing's record. The report acknowledged that the government has "much room for improvement," but said last year was a year of "landmark significance for progress."
It cited legal reforms to protect crime suspects and migrant workers from official abuses.
The report is part of a recent flurry of official efforts to improve China's international image on human rights.
Chinese leaders often say human rights include rights to food and housing. They reject criticism of their suppression of religious rights and pro-democracy activists.
"The Chinese government gives top priority to the people's life and health and basic human rights" -- though "there is still much room for improvement" -- the report said.
China last week suspended human rights dialogue with the US after Washington said it would seek a UN Human Rights Commission resolution criticizing Beijing. US officials say Beijing has failed to keep promises made during a 2002 dialogue on religious freedom and other issues.
"We are at a loss as to why the United States introduced such a resolution," Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan (
The report's release coincided with an announcement that three members of the Tiananmen Mothers group have been detained, accused of conspiring with foreign forces to harm China's national security.
The group represents people who lost relatives in the June 4, 1989, crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations at Beijing's Tiananmen Square. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, were killed.
Ding Zilin, Zhang Xianling and Huang Jinping were picked up Sunday at their homes, said New York-based group Human Rights in China, citing unidentified sources. It said agents seized letters and T-shirts marking the deadly crackdown's 15th anniversary.
Zhang's husband was told the Tiananmen Mothers was a "reactionary group," Human Rights in China said. It said the status of Zhang's arrest warrant suggested authorities "intend to hand down summary sentences."
Police in Wuxi, the eastern city where Ding lives, and Beijing, home to the other two women, said they had no information on their cases.
Bureaus of China's national security agency couldn't be reached in the two areas.
"I haven't heard of it," said Kong, asked about the detentions. "I would very much doubt the authenticity of the news you mentioned."
Ding's and Zhang's sons were killed when Chinese soldiers attacked the protesters. Huang lost her husband.
The authorities say the nonviolent protests were an anti-government riot. They suppress efforts to commemorate the deaths or gather information on the crackdown.
Ding, a retired university professor, has been the leading spokeswoman for activists who want the Chinese government to reverse its verdict and reconcile with victims' families.
The government has rejected such appeals, despite President Hu Jintao's (
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