Leaked documents reveal brainwashing in China’s prison camps
Documents challenge Beijing’s claims that the camps provide voluntary education
Leaked documents have exposed the systematic brainwashing of Muslims in China’s network of high-security prison camps.
The Guardian says the papers reveal the “largest mass incarceration of an ethnic-religious minority since the second world war” and show China is running detention camps that are secret, involuntary and used for ideological “education transformation”.
The Chinese government has long claimed the camps, in the far-western Xinjiang region, provide voluntary education and training. China's ambassador to the UK insists that the leaked documents have been fabricated.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, a nine-page memo by Zhu Hailun, then deputy-secretary of Xinjiang's Communist Party and the region's top security official, orders that the camps should be run as high security prisons, with strict discipline, punishments and no escapes.
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists found that about a million people - mostly from the Muslim Uighur community - have been detained without trial.
The paperwork rules that these inmates could be held indefinitely, but must serve at least a year in the camps before they can even be considered for “completion”, or release.
Even then, captives will only be released when they can prove they have transformed their behaviour, beliefs and language.
“Promote the repentance and confession of the students for them to understand deeply the illegal, criminal and dangerous nature of their past activity,” says the document.
“For those who harbour vague understandings, negative attitudes or even feelings of resistance…carry out education transformation to ensure that results are achieved.”
Another leaked document reveals that 15,000 people from southern Xinjiang were sent to the camps over the course of just one week in 2017.
Sophie Richardson, the China director at Human Rights Watch, told the BBC the leaked memo should be used by prosecutors.
“This is an actionable piece of evidence, documenting a gross human rights violation,” she said.
“I think it's fair to describe everyone being detained as being subject at least to psychological torture, because they literally don't know how long they're going to be there.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Moldova's pro-West president wins 2nd term
Speed Read Maia Sandu beat Alexandr Stoianoglo, despite suspicions of Russia meddling in the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
2024 race ends with swing state barnstorming
Speed Read Kamala Harris and Donald Trump held rallies in battlegrounds over the weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Five things you might not know about Quincy Jones
In the Spotlight From narrowly escaping the Manson Family murders to producing The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, his cultural imprint extended far beyond music
By The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published