Dec 27, 2012
Chinese worker scrawls plea for help, sticks it in a Kmart product he made
An Oregon woman was surprised to find a handwritten letter stuck in some Halloween decorations she bought at Kmart. The note purported to be from a Chinese worker in a labor camp…
The most prudent stance to take on this surprising find is probably to be concerned but skeptical, which is the position Sophie Richardson, China director at Human Rights Watch, is taking. She said about the note,
We’re in no position to confirm the veracity or origin of this….
I think it is fair to say the conditions described in the letter certainly conform to what we know about conditions in…labor camps….
If this thing is the real deal, that’s somebody saying, “Please help me, please know about me, please react.” That’s our job.
Read the full story at The Oregonian.
* * *
Transcript of the note:
If you occassionally buy this product, please kindly resend this letter to the World Human Right Organization. Thousands people here who are under the persicution of the Chinese Communist Party Government will thank and remember you forever.
This product produced by Unit 8, Department 2 Mashanjia Labour camp. Shenyang, Liaoning China.
People who work here have to work 15 hours a day without Saturday, Sunday break and any holidays. Otherwise they will suffer torturement beat and rude remark. Nearly no payment (10 yuan/1 month).
People who work here suffer punishment 1-3 years averagely, but without court sentence (unlaw punishment). Many of them are Falungong practitioner, who are totally innocent people. Only because they have different believe to CCPG, they often suffer more punishment than others.
* * * * *
Sounds like she’s planning to just ignore it…why am I not surprised ?
Ignore it? The message has only been shared with the whole world! HRW is a nonprofit, not a gov’t or militia. They can’t put sanctions or pressure China or demand cooperation in any way except to make people aware.
Ignore it.. like not put it on the internet or something?
The modern “message in a bottle.”
Stop buying Chinese goods. I know you won’t listen, but that is what needs to happen.
I try my best to not buy Chinese goods but we all know most originates there. We wonder why products at Walmart etc are cheap? It’s because they are able to have it made for cents in these conditions.
That is just very sad. I am going to try not to buy stuff that was made in China for the sake of the people in the labour camps. It just makes me want to cry. :*(