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Today, Laogai Research Foundation released its latest report: "Not for Sale: Advertising Forced Labor Products for Illegal Export." This current report expands on LRF’s previous works, Laogai Handbook: 2007-2008 and “Laogai Forced Labor Camps Listed in Dun & Bradstreet Databases." Our Laogai Handbook lists all known Laogai camps in China and the “Laogai Forced Labor Camps Listed in Dun & Bradstreet Databases” report details 314 entries for Laogai enterprises in the international business database Dun and Bradstreet. Our key findings in this current report include:

• Over 100 Laogai enterprises are advertising or are listed in English on the Internet, suggesting the intent to export Laogai products to international markets, including the U.S.
• In many cases, Laogai enterprises are actively requesting to be listed on international trade sites
• Several of the listing sites translate enterprise entries into multiple European languages
• The Chinese government actively promotes the trade of Laogai products, illegal under Chinese export regulations, through listings on China Commodity Net, a Chinese government sponsored website

(Click the report cover on the right to download the whole report (PDF))

Read the latest on the report launch from Deutsche Presse Agentur:  "China is still marketing for export products made by forced labour in prisons, nearly 20 years after such exports were first exposed, the US-based Laogai Research Foundation said on Thursday. A survey by the foundation found 120 English-language online advertisements marketing enterprises with known connections to China's penal system."(Read more)

U.S. President Barack Obama will meet with the Dalai Lama, despite threats from China that the meeting "would further hurt already strained bilateral relations." The President, who "snubbed" a visit with the Dalai Lama back in late 2009, will meet with His Holiness, although a date still has not been set.

While China regards the Dalai Lama as a "dangerous separatist," the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is known around the world as a "respected religious and cultural leader." The Dalai Lama wants Tibetans to be able to "freely practice their culture, language and religion under China's rule" - conditions that do not currently exist.

To aid in its control of Tibet and the repression of Tibetan human rights, the Chinese government extended its vast Laogai system into Tibet. According to the International Campaign for Tibet, "the Chinese government severely restricts the rights of Tibetans, including the freedoms of speech, press, association, and religion. Tibetan political prisoners endure harsh prison conditions and torture... Since 1949, hundreds of thousands have died as a direct result of China’s policies."

In October 2009, the Dalai Lama visited the Laogai Museum.  Watch his visit below:

In the Washington D.C. area?  Then make sure you join us for a screening of On a Tightrope, a documentary following four Uyghur children living in an orphanage who dream of becoming champion tightrope walkers, an ancient Uyghur tradition.  The film examines the hardship the children face and the struggles of all Uyghur people living under Chinese Communist rule.

See the film at the Laogai Museum (1109 M St NW, Washington, DC) on February 11, 2010 at 6PM.  Traditional Uyghur snacks and refreshments to be served. Come early to see our Special Exhibition "The Uyghur Experience:Sixty Years Under Chinese Communist Rule"

This event is co-sponsored by the Laogai Research Foundation and the Uyghur American Association.