Ankang (asylum)

Ankang (Chinese安康) referred to psychiatric clinics in China. The term literally means about " peace and health for the mentally ill ." Many of these clinics are prisoners hospitals for political prisoners who were sentenced as mentally ill. They are directly under the control of local security authorities. Some Ankang hospitals also offer conventional psychiatric and medical treatment. The name of Ankang hospitals was given in 1987 by the Communist Party.

Forms of torture

Coincidentally, police authorities are accused of imprisoning healthy people for criticizing the authorities or religious reasons ( Falun Gong ) without a legal opportunity to appeal in hospitals, they mistreat there with red-hot iron and suspend electroshock, insulin shock and chemical straitjackets.

Number of occupants

According to official figures, China has 22 Ankang psychiatric wards. 2001 to 2830, have been between 1991 and 2001 75,000 patients.

These numbers are neither denied nor confirmed by human rights organizations. About the number of political prisoners vary the information.

According to China's scientific journals, their number decreased by 10 percent in the 80 years to less than 5 percent. Human rights groups such as Human Rights Watch, however, mention the most of them estimated total number of political prisoners in Ankangs since the beginning of the 80s: 3000.

Further development

The Chinese government is planning to set up a police Psychiatry in every metropolitan city in China. Is the project implemented, the number will rise from 22 to 125.

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