http://www.economist.com/news/china/21572814-name-social-order-government-turns-blind-eye-black-jails-treating-symptoms
The central government of Beijing has been and is turning a blind eye towards "black jails". These black jails are local jails that arrest petitioners who try to protest to the central government of Beijing about problems in their local areas. These black jails or detention centers are ran illegally by the local governments. Petitioners would be dragged against their will into jail with no one to help them; a case where the police are the criminals themselves. There are optimists who seen that the Beijing government may begin to try to crackdown on these black jails because in February 5th, the government sentenced a group of people for running black jails. However, the author believes that should there be progress on eliminate black jails, it would come at a slow pace because the central government also has some vested interest in the existence of these illegal detention centers. The author also suggests that the main problem with the central government is its obsession with the concept of weiwen or stability maintenance. I agree with the author that should the Beijing government want to crack down on the black jails, it will have to sacrifice some stability, but it will be better for Beijing in the long run.
3 comments:
By eliminating the protesters it makes the government seem more popular. By making the government seem more popular they can institute more control and make it so they are much more powerful
These black jails sound truly terrible and remind me of the book 1984. I believe China's obsession with "weiwen" comes from their fear of revolt. China's population is so massive that should an section of the population grow disillusioned enough, the results could be catastrophic and far beyond what the government could control. Thus, China is very fearful of revolt and always quick to suppress any hint of revolution. However, as the country continues to become a major international player, they will need to reform their suppressive practices.
To me, black jails are not uncommon. I have seen with my eyes the police arrest people unreasonably. Large population and the Confucianism's effects make people ignorant to the law. The law exists but the officials don't enforce it. To get rid of black jails is important, but to improve residents' respects to laws and officials is also important as much.
Post a Comment