Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
In January, following the appointment of the new government, there was a lot of talk of the changes that would come. Newsweek reported that there would be reforms to China’s labor camp system, the laojiao. The laojiaos made news in the US last December when a K-Mart shopper found a note from a labor camp worker in her Halloween decoration. Like a message in a bottle, it was a desperate plea for rescue. The note’s authenticity was questioned, and K-Mart issued a wag of the finger to any companies that used forced labor to make their bargain goods, but not a lot came out of it. Now its April, and the government has vowed to make reforms, but with few details offered, and big challenges facing real change. The laojiaos have become profitable, and China’s not interested in losing its foothold as the world’s cheap labor leader. Perhaps the biggest roadblock of all is finding an effective, humane, and efficient system for silencing political dissidents. Blocking access to Facebook is easy, but building a better Guantanamo… that’s another story.
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Sex Dungeon Master Sentenced to Death. Li Hao is not the typical “DM” although he actually dug out his owa dungeon and orchestrated the women he tricked into coming over to do sexual acts on camera and even commit murder. They didn’t get to roll a “d20″ for protection instead three of the women were found guilty of murdering two of the captives and were sentenced to prison. (CNN – Li Hao)
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Wrongly accused Nepalese man gets an apology from Japan. “Justice Minister Makoto Taki told a press conference he was sorry that Govinda Prasad Mainali had spent so long in prison for the 1997 murder of a businesswoman-turned prostitute in Tokyo. “I deeply apologise for his long detention period of 15 years,” said Taki, according to Kyodo News.” (Google – Wrongly imprisoned) Also read the Reddit Ask Me Anything with two wrongly convicted and recently released Americans. It’s direct answers and scary. (Reddit – AMA)
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The Justice Minister tells the media that they hanged two more folks. That’s 7 this year. The difference between capital punishment in Japan and in the US? You don’t get to know ahead of time. One day, they can show up, and it’s your special day. Forget the candlelight vigils outside of the prison, there just no time. (WAPO – Hangings)
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Some of you will actually read this book but most of you won’t. This is a book called Escape From Camp 14 by Blaine Harden. Shin Dong-Hyuk is the only known escapee who was born and raised in a North Korean prison. This might be a book to check out. Here’s some questions asked about the book and answers as appeared on NPR – Escape from Camp 14.
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