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The secrets of Beijing’s ‘black jails’

The terrible secrets of Beijing’s ‘black jails’

13 October 2007

The author’s arrest while investigating Chinese prisons

Finally they ordered me to stand as if I was in a courtroom dock while officers around me snapped to attention. A show trial-type denunciation of our crimes was read out in a loud voice while the cop with the video camera filmed me up close. I slouched deeper in my chair.

Before releasing us, the police forced Andrew to destroy what they still believed was the incriminating tape. This was burning a hole in my sock. With great show, Andrew stamped on the swapped blank tape. ‘What about the illegal jail?’ we said again. They giggled. The saga was farcical rather than frightening, but it illustrated how determined the Chinese authorities are to gag the press — even if their methods are primitive. We smuggled the real tape out of China and the footage speaks for itself.

Not just in that black jail, but everywhere I went in Beijing I met unhappy people. Some wept hysterically, standing in front of demolished homes from which they had been evicted to make way for Olympic redevelopments and waving petitions for justice that never get heard. They stood in piles of faeces dumped on their doorsteps by ruthless developers. And all the time I saw police and thugs in dark glasses disperse gatherings of any kind, even funerals.

Many of the cowed people I saw were elderly or handicapped. Yet the authorities appeared terrified if they formed any kind of gathering. Discontent seethes just below the surface and graffiti attacking the system adorn walls. Police vehicles are at every street corner. Produce a camera and within seconds a woman at a bus stop and a fat guy on his mobile would turn out to be plainclothes cops. Unmarked black Audis pull up, lights flashing.

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Comments Post comment

Andrew

October 18th, 2007 4:42pm Report this comment

How can I see the footage without watching Channel 4 at 7:30 on 19 October??? By the way, that means absolutely nothing to an international readership.

Paul

October 19th, 2007 8:06pm Report this comment

Just watched the program. The Olympic games should be boycotted. There is no justification for the cruelty with which these ordinary people are treated. There is no excuse for not reacting. If you can speak, then shout.

Chloe Pooley

October 19th, 2007 9:35pm Report this comment

We just watched the programme, too. I had already had huge doubts about China's human rights record in current times but then I saw this programme by Aidan Hartley. It was evidence of vile, pointless and inhumane treatment of ordinary citizens who are being forced out of their homes by the authorities, then beaten, detained and tortured for daring to protest against their treatment. All this because Beijing is making way for new developments near the Olympic zone. The programme makers' treatment speaks volumes about the deeply ironic desperation of behalf of the state to smother any signs of protest to appear developed and democratic in the light of the country's hosting the Olympics. The country should never have won the bid and I sincerely hope participating countries such as the UK pull out for fear of condoning such a repressive regime.

Dret Grefison

October 20th, 2007 6:05am Report this comment

Boycott anything and any brand associated with the Olympics, seriously. Perfect opportunity to make a difference by making 2008 a year the Olympics wouldn't put up with all the BS just to let some (spectacular) kids win medals.

Margaret Gray

October 21st, 2007 9:51pm Report this comment

I would like to see the video of those black jails on the internet. Let me know when it is available.

Daffy

October 23rd, 2007 12:46pm Report this comment

I wish there was a contact at the IOC to make my feelings known or petition I could sign. It was obvious the China would carry on with its human rights abuses and being awarded the Olympics means more of it people suffer with an apparent pat on the back from the rest of the world.

Monty

October 25th, 2007 4:31pm Report this comment

At the moment, there is a Global Human Rights Torch Relay taking place to raise awareness of human rights in China. Please visit wwww.humanrightstorch.org. From there, there are lots of related links where you can sign petitions. I wasn't going to participate in this Relay. After reading this article and watching http://www.veoh.com/videos/v1357069DKZqmaty I am now feeling really ashamed myself. I am appealing to all you kind-hearted people out there to please, please do something about it. Even something as simple as spreading this link or telling people about it. The ruling Chinese Communist Regime is so brutal and evil that it is even persecuting its own people for practising a traditional Chinese qigong exercise called Falun Gong. Falun Gong benefits both the mind and body and embraces the basic principles of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance. The persecution has been going on for eights years and thousands have been tortured to death. Hundreds of thousands are in jails and slave labour camps in appalling conditions, pumping out all those "Made in China" stuffs we are buying. These are the "lucky" ones as they are hundreds of thousands in detention centres, kept there solely to satisfy the organ harvesting trade in China. Corrupted government officials, judiciaries members and military-based hospitals' directors benefited from the sales of organs of Falun Gong people. How?? Organs are forcibly removed from these detainees while they are still semi-conscious and once transplantations are completed, they are killed and the authorities pocketed the monies made, usually from unsuspecting foreigners who are desperate for a second chance in life. More often than not, these patients died from complications once back in their home countries. It is no longer just a China issue but a worldwide issue now. (http://organharvestinvestigation.net) The evil Chinese Communist Party must be toppled in order for the true and pure traditional China to emerge. Thank you for your kind attention.

Jessie Doyle

November 27th, 2007 9:46pm Report this comment

I was touched moved and inspired by your report. What can I do to help the cause? I only caught part of the programme but would like to know how I can get hold of a copy to watch throughout. Originally I was so shocked I wanted to shame the goverment by enrolling the athlets to boycotte the olymics by sending each of them a copy of your report, with your permission....This led to a breakthrough idea...The olympics being held there next year is an oppotunity to raise awarness and money. The Olymics could be like the United Nations as the world is watching and members from every country are involved. People love to show they care, look at Live Aid and Live 8. A stand for human rights laws to be established in Baijing could be made through some kind of high profile event. I ask again what can I do? How about raising money for the people who are loosing their homes. If there was money for them new homes could be built somewhere safe. I would love to know what you think. If you would like to support these ideas. I would like to inquire further into this as a possibility. Would you let your report be shown to help enrole people into helping? Do you have any ideas/projects that I could get involved with. I see this as a clear and possible oppotunity. Thank you for your time Jessie X

Hallie

January 8th, 2008 9:44pm Report this comment

I am putting together a film series for Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and I am interested in viewing this documentary. How can I go about requesting a screener? Thanks very much.

Elizabeth Nash

January 18th, 2008 8:18pm Report this comment

I tried to watch the Channel 4 transmission of your program, unfortunately and no doubt due to local weather conditions, I was only able to hear and was not able to see your program as the image throughout was distorted; if there is any means by which I can see your program properly please let me know as I would like to write a letter to Gordan Brown whose speech incidently on the channel 4 news that went before your program, I was able to view with interest and without disturbance from local weather condidions. Many thanks

Paul

January 18th, 2008 8:28pm Report this comment

Having visited China myself i know how strict they are with taking pictures or filming anything they dont want you to - they have guards or security on every corner! The olympics should never have been given to beijing in the 1st place (somewhere where people still cannot openly express their rights)....there should be more focus put on this by the media 9thus resulting in pressure on the chinese government) - espcially with the olympics not too far off.

ar

January 22nd, 2008 12:28pm Report this comment

Beijings Olympic lie

Jessie Doyle

January 26th, 2008 1:41pm Report this comment

Since my last letter to you I have found a way to make a stand and would love people to join in and support the cause! If anyone missed Aiden's report it its on www.veoh.com/videos/v1357069DKZqmaty
I am recruiting people to join in a sponsored skydive on 29th Feb, which is Leap Year. To raise money and awarness for the people of Beijing who have been unlawfully evicted from their homes and imprisioned as a result. And to support Amnesty International's campaign to have Human Rights Laws for China by the Olympics 2008. Please sponsore or join in the jump, all welcome. This project has just gained the interest and support of my local paper the Ham&High which is great news. I am also hosting a fund raising event on Chinese New Year 8th Feb at The Torriano, 71-73 Torrianno Avenue, Kentish Town London NW5 Please come along and show your support. Love Jessie X

Rixio

September 7th, 2008 3:13am Report this comment

Maybe Im late here, but Try to see what your country doesn't want you to see, Lebanon Now, India in the 1800's, Irak, Afghanistan, and many regimes not supported by your government but created by it, All kinds of Colonial invasion and all kind of support to bother against human beings. SO look inside you before criticizing another country, Is not good I know your Idea but is the way people had lived in this country for many years.

Riff Hammond

April 27th, 2009 1:36pm Report this comment

Just saw a clip on Aljazeera and had to find out more.Its disgustful how the Chinese Government can do this to innocent People...

Roger Berkley

June 7th, 2009 4:26pm Report this comment

This is a completely biased report - read it with an open mind - it doesn't even attempt to explain things from China's point of view and makes broad unfounded statements without any evidence to support.

This is really shameless reporting - Aidan Hartley should never work again.

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