Beijing - Chinese police detained seven dissidents in the central city of Changsha in the past two days, a Hong Kong-based human rights group said yesterday, writes Conor O'Clery
Five were still being held late yesterday, the group said. A Changsha police official said only one person had been detained and was released after 48 hours. The alleged police activity
against pro-democracy activists - some of the seven have already served time in prison and labour camps - comes during a visit by the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, who has said progress was being made on human rights in China.
On Monday Beijing signed the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which aims to guarantee freedom of expression, a fair trial and protection against torture and arbitrary arrests. The official media reported yesterday that a senior Chinese human rights official had suggested Beijing would adapt the covenant to "national conditions". Like other signatories, China can register reservations in areas where it wishes to be exempt before it ratifies the document.