Work
13.June 2006 - 00:00
Labour camps in China
At the beginning of 2006, information came to light concerning numerous secret concentration camps in China, where Falun Gong adherents were being killed for their internal organs. One example was a camp in the Sujiatun region which was directly connected to the region's hospital. Although the Chinese Government has denied the existence of the Sujiatun camp, numerous witnesses contradict the denial.
People who have worked in hospitals have said that as many as 6000 Falun Gong members have undergone operations to have internal organs removed, and that at least three quarters of them have died as a result of the operation. In order to maximise the success rate of the transplants, some of the operations have been performed under a general anaesthetic. The organs have then been marketed around the world. Falun Gong members have been turned into commercial goods. It has been China's policy to make the Falun Gong's position as untenable as possible, and the ruling Chinese Communist Party regards them as class enemies.
After the matter came to international attention, the Chinese Government opened the doors of the Sujiatun camp. However, it is not the only labour camp to which Falun Gong members are taken. The information about trading in organs and enforced operations is so serious that conditions in camps other than Sujiatun should likewise be investigated. The international community has also drawn attention to trading in organs in China in other connections recently. Is the Commission aware of Falun Gong members being taken to labour camps and of the trading in organs which is going on? What will the Commission do about conditions in the camps and to ensure that investigations into their running are performed impartially?
Answer given by Mrs Ferrero-Waldner on behalf of the Commission
The Commission is well aware of the allegations of trafficking of organs of prisoners sentenced to death in the camp of Sujiatun. It has, at present, no concrete evidence and will investigate further. Should these allegations be confirmed, the Commission would urgently address the issue with its Chinese counterparts in the most appropriate manner and in the first place in the framework of the EU China bilateral dialogue on human rights. In the meantime, it will closely monitor the implementation by China of the Temporary Provisions on Human Organ Transplant Clinical Practice Management released by the Ministry of Health on 27 March 2006 and due to become effective on 1 July 2006.
At the beginning of 2006, information came to light concerning numerous secret concentration camps in China, where Falun Gong adherents were being killed for their internal organs. One example was a camp in the Sujiatun region which was directly connected to the region's hospital. Although the Chinese Government has denied the existence of the Sujiatun camp, numerous witnesses contradict the denial.
People who have worked in hospitals have said that as many as 6000 Falun Gong members have undergone operations to have internal organs removed, and that at least three quarters of them have died as a result of the operation. In order to maximise the success rate of the transplants, some of the operations have been performed under a general anaesthetic. The organs have then been marketed around the world. Falun Gong members have been turned into commercial goods. It has been China's policy to make the Falun Gong's position as untenable as possible, and the ruling Chinese Communist Party regards them as class enemies.
After the matter came to international attention, the Chinese Government opened the doors of the Sujiatun camp. However, it is not the only labour camp to which Falun Gong members are taken. The information about trading in organs and enforced operations is so serious that conditions in camps other than Sujiatun should likewise be investigated. The international community has also drawn attention to trading in organs in China in other connections recently. Is the Commission aware of Falun Gong members being taken to labour camps and of the trading in organs which is going on? What will the Commission do about conditions in the camps and to ensure that investigations into their running are performed impartially?
Answer given by Mrs Ferrero-Waldner on behalf of the Commission
The Commission is well aware of the allegations of trafficking of organs of prisoners sentenced to death in the camp of Sujiatun. It has, at present, no concrete evidence and will investigate further. Should these allegations be confirmed, the Commission would urgently address the issue with its Chinese counterparts in the most appropriate manner and in the first place in the framework of the EU China bilateral dialogue on human rights. In the meantime, it will closely monitor the implementation by China of the Temporary Provisions on Human Organ Transplant Clinical Practice Management released by the Ministry of Health on 27 March 2006 and due to become effective on 1 July 2006.