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Concentration Camps by Any Other Name

          “In May 2001, the government (of China) took a group of western reporters on a tightly controlled tour of Masanjia labor camp in northeastern Liaoning Province, which Falun Gong had also accused of torturing followers.  The reporters saw nothing untoward.”  (“Word of Falun Gong Deaths Sets Off Dispute on Cause” – NYT 4 July)

           The western reporters saw nothing wrong with people held in forced labor camps, though charged with no crime, having had no trial, no due process, no course of appeal, no way out except by denouncing a spiritual practice which has been outlawed despite no individual being tried in any court?

Did the reporters confirmed that those in the “labor camps” go home to their families and children at night, receive a living wage, have a union, legal representation, can demand change in conditions when a co-worker gives birth in a field and continues working an hour later?       

                The reporters noted no similarity to the Nazi’s escorting Red Cross representatives on tightly controlled tours of concentration camps where they also saw nothing untoward? 

These reporters were handpicked for their previous critical coverage of China’s human rights record, understanding of basic international treaties, and in depth stories exposing human rights abuses in other nations?

                Removing the word “forced” from “labor camp” means it is no longer a concentration camp where basic human rights are violated, the most basic freedom of belief has no meaning and armed guards, rape, and beating are not an atrocity – as long as the inmates don’t actually die?  And if they do die, the question is whether they took their own lives in desperation or were battered to death?

                Publishing this story on the 4^th of July was not a sick irony?

Nancy O’Meara

Foundation for Religious Freedom

Co-author “The Cult Around the Corner”