The New York Times today reported that Jiang Yanyong, the doctor who exposed China’s cover-up of a rural SARS epidemic was released from custody. He had been detained by the Chinese Communist Party for writing a letter to party leaders asking for an honest reassessment of the massacre in Tiananmen Square. Because Yanyong had the temerity to demand that the CCP take responsibility for its actions, he was held for seven weeks and subjected to “study sessions” (a euphemism for brainwashing). The septuagenarian is ‘free’ now, which for dissidents in China means under house arrest and prevented from speaking publicly.
Posted by publius at July 20, 2004 12:55 PMI'm holding my breath, waiting for the diatribe from Louise Arbour, our new UN Human Rights chief mandarin, decrying these American abuses in the strongest possible language.
Oh, wait. The Americans aren't detaining Yanyong in Guantanamo? It's the Chinese?
Well that's completely different. Forget I even opened my mouth.
Posted by: Damian at July 20, 2004 05:14 PMFrom the CBC:
"Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour is best known as a chief prosecutor for tribunals into the genocide in Rwanda and human rights abuses in Yugoslavia in the 1990s. She earned an international reputation for courage and tenacity and gained the respect of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, as well as human rights groups around the world."
She gained the respect of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan? This is a selling point? The communists in China can sleep safely tonight.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/arbour/
Posted by: Publius at July 20, 2004 09:11 PMI thought she was relieved of one of her tribunals(she kept Rwanda and lost Kosovo or visa v) because it wasn't really moving along.
Posted by: Jane at July 21, 2004 01:08 AMRelieved of one of her tribunals for cause? Ah... that would explain how she gained Kofi Annan's respect.
Posted by: Publius at July 21, 2004 07:18 AMIt would also explain why she was brought back to sit as a friggin' JUSTICE ON CANADA'S SUPREME COURT! Couldn't hack it outside Canada? Don't worry! Have we ever got the perfect job for you!
Posted by: Damian at July 21, 2004 10:51 AM