Violating the government's own rules, it Detains Prominent Chinese Lawyer

Police in Beijing have detained a prominent defense lawyer for more than a month in a case that underscores China's troubled attempts to reform its judicial system.

Chinese law says that suspects have a right to meet with an attorney within 48 hours of being detained, but police routinely deny authorization.

Amnesty International, the London-based human rights organization, has reported that families of Chinese suspects can spend months or even years searching for their loved ones after arrests, despite the laws guaranteeing access to a lawyer and family notification.