China rejects prison torture report by rights group

China rejected a rights group report accusing authorities of continuing to use torture and ill-treatment in detention, including beatings and denial of medical care.

Chinese Human Rights Defenders said its report examined the cases of 209 prisoners between 2016 and 2025 who alleged they were tortured or ill-treated while detained in China. The group said prisoners of conscience were particularly targeted.

According to CHRD, a fifth of the prisoners said they had been beaten, 15 percent said they were tortured to force confessions and 35 percent said they were deprived of adequate medical care. The group said 16 prisoners died behind bars as a result.

Xia Beibei told AFP that her mother, jailed petitioner Yin Dengzhen, was denied release on medical grounds despite having lymphoma and being unable to eat or walk normally. Xia said authorities found Yin to be in good health after sentencing and transferred her to a women's prison in Wuhan.

China's foreign ministry told AFP that “China's judicial authorities handle cases strictly in accordance with the law and fully ensure the legal rights of all parties”. It said CHRD was “consistently filled with prejudice against China” and “fabricates various lies”.

Chinese law says torture and using violence to force confessions are punishable by up to three years in prison, with heavier punishment if torture causes injury or death. China is also a signatory to the UN Convention against Torture.

Beijing has previously rejected torture allegations from the UN, rights groups and individuals. In 2025, China's top prosecutor acknowledged that torture and unlawful detention take place in the country and pledged action against illegal law enforcement practices.