சீனாவில் செங்கள் சூளை அடிமைமுறை காரணமாக வழக்கு

செங்கல் சூளைகளில் அடிமைகளை வைத்து வேலை செய்யவைத்ததற்காக செங்கள் சூளை சொந்தக்காரர்கள் மீது வழக்கு.

இதில் ஆச்சரியமற்ற விஷயம் என்னவென்றால், அந்த செங்கல் சூளை எஜமானர்கள் கம்யூனிஸ அதிகாரிகள்தான் என்பதுதான்.

China puts 26 on trial in new slavery case
The Associated PressPublished: July 11, 2007

BEIJING: Another 26 people accused of using slave labor at brick kilns went on trial Wednesday in the latest case stemming from a scandal that captivated China, a state news agency reported.

The defendants went on trial in four courts in the northern province of Shanxi on charges of "forcing laborers to work for them in unspeakable conditions," the Xinhua News Agency said. It identified only one defendant, Yang Xiaohong, and gave no details of their cases.

There was no word on what penalty the defendants might face if convicted, but Xinhua said four were accused of intentionally injuring workers, a charge that can carry more severe punishment.

The scandal erupted after hundreds of parents complained their children were being forced to work in brick kilns in Henan, Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces in northern China.

Since then, state media say police have raided thousands of brick factories, freeing more than 850 children and adults and arresting dozens of kiln employees and local officials accused of helping them.

Chinese leaders rushed to assure the public that the government was taking action, and Premier Wen Jiabao ordered a thorough investigation and punishment for officials who abetted kiln owners.

Twelve people went on trial last week in the first case stemming from the scandal. No verdict has been announced.