A/HRC/16/53/Add.1 Xiaojun was taken into another special interrogation room in the Detention Center and was interrogated non-stop by a team of policemen from 5:45 p.m. on 18 January 2010 to 2:30 p.m. the following day without being allowed to sleep. The police allegedly forced him to confess through sleep deprivation and by refusing to provide him with food. When Guo Xiaojun tried to support his head with his hands, the police officer violently pushed away his hands. Furthermore, the police reportedly threatened to arrest his wife Xu Wenxin, who is also a Falun Gong practitioner, and to send their young child back to his hometown if Guo Xiaojun did not confess. 57. In February 2010, his defense attorney terminated the contract with Guo Xiaojun allegedly under the threats of the Beijing Judicial Bureau. One official of the Beijing Judicial Bureau had reportedly warned the defense attorney that he could no longer practice as a lawyer if he continued to represent Guo Xiaojun. 58. On 6 July 2010, the Shanghai Baoshan District Court tried Guo Xiaojun and sentenced him to four years’ imprisonment. The basis of the conviction was Guo Xiaojun’s confession obtained through threats and ill-treatment. Guo Xiaojun declared he would retract his confession and said that this confession was obtained through threats and torture, however, his speech was cut short by the judge. Guo Xiajun has appealed against the court verdict. His wife also filed complaints with the police, the court and prosecutors, however, the authorities have reportedly not responded to those complaints. (b) No response received from the Government (c) Observations by the Special Rapporteur 59. The Special Rapporteur regrets that he has so far not received a reply from the Government of China concerning the above mentioned allegations. The Special Rapporteur shares the concerns of his predecessor with regard to the continued violations of freedom of religion or belief suffered by Falun Gong practitioners in China (see E/CN.4/2005/61, paras. 37-38; E/CN.4/2006/5/Add.1, para. 109; A/HRC/4/21/Add.1, para. 88; A/HRC/7/10/Add.1, para. 32; A/HRC/10/8/Add.1, para. 22; A/HRC/13/40/Add.1, paras. 71-74). 60. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur would like to take this opportunity to refer to the chapter on “Religious minorities and new religious movements” in the report to the fourth session of the Human Rights Council (see A/HRC/4/21, paras. 43-47) and to his framework for communications, more specifically to the international human rights norms and to the mandate practice concerning discrimination on the basis of religion or belief (see para. 1 above, category B. 1.). 4. (a) Communication sent on 20 September 2010 jointly with the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Allegations transmitted to the Government 61. The Special Procedures mandate holders brought to the attention of the Government information regarding the torture and ill-treatment in detention of Ms. Geng Li, Ms. Sun Jianqin and Ms. Liu Shuli, all Falun Gong practitioners. According to the information received, on 15 July 2009, Ms. Geng Li, Ms. Sun Jianqin and Ms. Liu Shuli were arrested at a market in Xiheying Town and taken to the local police station. 62. Ms. Geng Li was handcuffed in the “carrying a sword in the back” position, paper was stuffed in her mouth and smoke blown in her face. The officers present took turns beating her, slapping her face and whipping her arms. Ms. Geng Li was also subjected to shocks with electric batons. She was kicked on her legs until she fell down. She was then 14