About

Every year since 1957, hundreds of thousands of Chinese citizens who have committed no serious crime have been sentenced to Re-Education by Labour camps. To better understand the cruel practices and why despite recent efforts this system still needs to be abolished, we invite you to take a walk in Tian’s shoes and experience Life in a Labour Camp.

This interactive experience is based on the true story of Jing Tian whose harrowing escape from a labour camp is the subject of Avenues of Escape a feature length documentary to be released in 2016 directed by Leon Lee, director of the 2014 Peabody Award-winning documentary Human Harvest.

More info:

Credits and Sources

Sources
Credits

Contact Us

Get Involved

Here are ways you can get more information and help the cause:

Drag

the keys to open the window.

TORTURE

Many types of corporal punishment and torture are experienced by prisoners in Labour Camps, here Tian sees what awaits her behind closed doors.

About Get Involved Contact Us

-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%

According to first hand accounts, corporal punishment is commonly used inside the camps, and torture and physical abuse are widespread. Over 3,900 named Falun Gong practitioners have died as a result of torture and abuse in custody and the actual number is estimated to be much higher.

Behind this window are artworks created by Wang Zhiping, a remarkable Chinese artist who based these scenes on personal stories from former inmates.

Torture of a Woman – by Wang Zhiping

Accounts by female prisoners of conscience, who have lived through torture in Chinese detention centers, detail horrendous physical and sexual torture by not only prison guards, but prison inmates as well. It has been reported that some women who practice Falun Gong have been stripped naked and locked into male prison cells.

Like a Stone – by Wang Zhiping

This torture method involves sharp bamboo sticks that are jammed underneath the prisoners fingernails. This and similar torture practices are reportedly often used on Falun Gong practitioners and re-education through labour prisoners.

Group Torture – by Wang Zhiping

This young woman is being tortured by Chinese prison guards and prison inmates, working together. The extreme weight on her lower abdomen severely inhibits the practitioners breathing and can result in paralysis.

Tiger Bench – by Wang Zhiping

This piece depicts a common torture method used to inflict severe, prolonged pain. Bricks are stacked beneath the feet while ropes tying the legs down are pulled tight, bringing the legs to the point of breaking.