China abandoning “reform through labor” system

SHANGHAI

By Ali Ihsan Cam/Tevfik Durul

With the historic decision taken by the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) 18th National Congress, the 50 year old traditional punishment system of prison labor camps, known as “laogai” in the country, is being put to an end.

China has moved to the next stage after launching a reform process in 1978 and undertaking economic expansion in the 1990s.

With the last reform move in the country, the internationally and domestically much debated “reform through labor camps” are being abandoned.

The “reform system,” which began in the 1950s, was practiced for lesser crimes which did not require a court case. But on the ground that local authorities were abusing the system in recent times, it came under criticism from the public opinion and caused tension in the country.

The committees implementing "laogai" were composed of government bodies consisting of the police, civil affairs and education departments. In the systems, security forces and the committee were authorized to detain citizens without a public trial for up to four years. This was especially abused by local governments through arbitrary punishment.

While the government has been stating that will reform this system since the beginning of this year, the abolition of the system as described in the reform package was welcomed by the public. 

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