Hebei Catholics hope new law will help free imprisoned bishops and priests

January 04, 2013 - Priests and faithful in China’s Hebei province are eagerly awaiting the return of their bishops and priests who have disappeared in police custody for years. From January 1, their hope of seeing their pastors, some detained without trial for 15 years and more, also has a legal basis. Since the beginning of this year, in fact, the reformed penal code has passed into law which, at least in intention, aims to "respect and protect human rights." A Hebei priest told AsiaNews that under the new laws, 80-year old Msgr. James Su Zhimin, the underground bishop of Baoding, who disappeared in police custody 15 years ago, should be able to return home. His family every year, on the anniversary of his kidnapping, ask the police where their relative is being held, as of this year they will finally have an answer different from the one received in the past -"We do not know!" Similarly there is also hope that Msgr. Cosma Shi Enxiang, the 90year old underground bishop of Yixian, under detention without trial since 2001, will be able to return. Under the new law, no one should be forced to incriminate themselves and all arrests must be based on evidence "obtained in a legal manner", i.e. not through torture. The law also ensures immediate access to a lawyer within 48 hours of a request being made, and that the relatives of the suspect are to be informed of the circumstances and place of detention. Moreover during the period of detention, the suspect must be guaranteed an adequate diet and sleep. Finally, the police cannot detain a person without charge for more than six months.