Re-education through Labor in China
Fair Trials for All!
Amnesty International has long called on the Chinese authorities to abolish Re-education through Labor and other forms of punitive administrative detention. These systems of detention are imposed by the police without charge, trial or judicial review, violate international fair trial standards and have been on China's reform agenda for many years. However, in May 2006, the Beijing city authorities announced their intention to extend the use of Re-education Through Labor as a way to "clean up" the city's image ahead of the Olympics.
Complete Information on Human Rights in China
Work Hard, Think Different
Re-education Through Labor has been used in China since the mid-1950s as a system of punishment imposed on those who are deemed to have committed minor offences but are not legally considered to be criminals. Under the current system, people can be detained in a Re-education Through Labor facility for up to the three years, which can be extended by one year. Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to be held in Re-education Through Labor facilities in China, many in harsh conditions. A lack fo safeguards to prevent abuses against those held in such facilities continues to result in a range of human rights violations, such as beatings or other forms of torture or ill-treatment.
Prostitutes and Drug Users at risk
In addition to Re-education Through Labor, Chinese officials continue to use two other forms of punitive administrative detention. Custody and Education is used to punish alleged prostitutes and their clients with between six months and two years--detention, and Enforced Drug Rehabilitation enables the police to detain suspected drug addicts.
Open Letter to Chairman of the Standing Committe of the National People's Congress
In October 2007, Amnesty International sent an open letter to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's legislature, urging them to ensure that any legislation adopted to replace "Re-education through Labor" complies fully with international human rights standards, including the right to fair trial. You can view the letter here.
Want more information? Download an issue brief (PDF) about administrative detention in China.
Featured Case: BU Dongwei
Bu Dongwei, also known as David Bu, was assigned a two-and-a-half years' Re-edcuation through Labor (RTL) on 19 June 2006 in connection with his activities as a member of the Falun Gong movemnent, which is banned in China. The authorities claim that he has decided not to appeal against his assignment, but his family dispute this. He is due to be released on 18 November 2008.
Want to learn more and take action on behalf of Bu Dongwei?
