The Chairwoman of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights expresses deep concern over the information concerning health of detained human rights advocate Hu Jia, winner of 2008 European Parliament Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.[:]

It appears that Mr Hu Jia is in urgent need of appropriate medical care. Chairwoman Hautala underlines that he should be moved to hospital without delay and calls for the Chinese authorities to grant permission to this end without delay. Application for medical parole should be granted accordingly. Access to health care in serious cases is a human right of grave importance, she stressed.

Ms. Hautala furthermore calls the  Chinrese authorities in general and the prison authorities in particular to abide by the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. The Chinese authorities should also note that under the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person with the consent of a person acting in an official capacity, can constitute torture.

The European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights will continue to closely  monitor the treatment of people in detention in China and the authorities’ commitment to upholding the rights under the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to which China is a party.