The US State Department no longer considers China one of the world's worst human rights offenders and has dropped the country from its "Top Ten" list leaving one spot vacant. In an unprecedented move the government agency added the United States to the list in front of Belarus but behind Cuba.
Jonathan D. Farrar, acting assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, questioned about this decision replied, "I think the report highlights that generally the human rights record remains poor." Guantanamo Bay was consistently referred to in the report as well as secret international interrogation camps. "The United States would do well to look closer to home when gauging human rights abuses," Farrar stated firmly.
When asked repeatedly why China was dropped from the list, in spite of their numerous infractions, Farrar said their enhanced trade reforms, cheap labor and sponsorship of the Olympics were reason enough.
Sources in the State Department report that Farrar compiled the report without assistance and notes it is under investigation.
