UN concern over torture

Torture cases in China and those in Spain related to terrorism 'worry' the United Nations committee against torture, its president said yesterday, AFP reports from Geneva. Joseph Voyame said the committee examined the 'large number' of torture cases in China, particularly in Tibet, and was concerned by the incompetence of China's prison and judicial system. The committee also examined alleged torture in Spain and was particularly 'worried' by cases related to presumed members of ETA, the Basque separatist group. The committee looked into the apparent impunity given to those suspected of conducting torture because of the 'extreme slowness' of the court system.