China Formally Abolishes Re-Education Labor Camps
In a step toward rule of law, China’s national legislature on Saturday voted to abolish a much-criticized penal system that allowed police to lock up people for up to four years without due process.
The standing committee of the National People’s Congress adopted a resolution to abolish the re-education labor system, formalizing a November decision by the ruling Chinese Communist Party, according to the official Xinhua News Agency and the state-run China Central Television.
State media said all those serving time in the labor camps would be set free starting Saturday, but that the penalties handed out before the abolition would still be considered legitimate, a provision aimed at preventing the victims from suing the state and seeking redress.