"Strait Jackets" used As Torture Instruments in Chinese Labour Camps

Strait jackets are being used in the Shibalihe Female Labour Camp in Henan, as a means of torture to force unyielding Falun Gong practitioners to abandon their faith.

Since April 22nd, Falun Gong practitioners have been forced to put on the strait jackets made of fine canvas, and created specifically for cruel punishment. It is put on from the front of the body, and it is tied in knots at the back. The sleeves are about 25 centimeters beyond the hands, and it has tightening bands.

The arms are wrapped around the front of the body and tied behind. The legs are tied together, and then they hang the tied hands from metal bars. Both arms of the victim are immediately injured. The tendons and bones of the shoulders, elbows, and wrists are torn and fractured. When the torture is prolonged, the spinal cord is fractured and the result is an extremely painful death.

Six Falun Gong practitioners have been tortured to death by this method. Known female victims are Zhang Yali, Zhang Baoju, and Guan Ge. Some victims were over 60 years old.

According to a source, in the provincial justice department, the tortuous jacket method was promulgated by the central "610" office, and the Chinese Justice Department.

In April, the central "610" Office and the Chinese Justice Department held an onsite meeting in Hebei Province to begin an intensified mass conversion project with the code name "Spring Thunder."

During the meeting, the officials affirmed the use of the conversion, strait jackets for the entire Chinese labour camp system, and they were to be introduced in both Hebei and Sanxi labour camps.

The above-mentioned deaths occurred shortly after the meeting in the Shibalihe Female Labour Camp, in Henan.

The source pointed out that, in the beginning, the labour camp's personnel were concerned about possible repercussions from using the jackets for punishment.

However, the central and local "610" offices requires "conversion rate targets" of detained Falun Gong practitioners. Promotion, compensation, bonuses and other benefits for police officers are measured against their success of converting Falun Gong practitioners.

The labour camps' police forces are compelled by the "610" office to use the jackets as a torturing tool. The central "610" office announced that the officials and police personnel involved in causing the above deaths would not be held responsible.

So far, in the Shibalihe Female Labour Camp, there has not been an investigation into this matter, and no one has been prosecuted for the deaths of Falun Gong practitioners-Zhang Yali, Zhang Baoju, and Guan Ge.

Sources added that using "strait jackets" as a torturing tool is a state crime, a state crime committed by Jiang Zemin's regime which backs the central "610" office.

The report went on to state that the "610" office is undeniably a terrorist organization without a trace of conscience and humanity left. Jiang Zemin and the central "610" office, with the resources of an entire country in their hands, have colluded to carry out the genocidal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Realizing that they are headed to certain failure, Jiang Zemin and the central "610" office reign of terror is becoming more desperate. But added, they will eventually have to face the fury of justice.

Chinese version available at http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2003/9/20/57668.html