Abolition of forced labor creates a more 'civil society'

Aug 18, 2011, should have been Ren Jianyu's first rung on the ladder to success as a government official. Instead, just hours after being formally recruited as a civil servant, the then-25-year-old Chongqing native was arrested on charges of attempting to overthrow the State.

Ren, who admitted posting defamatory messages online, but denied any treasonous activity, was sentenced to two years in jail by the laojiao, or "reform through labor", authorities, which had the power to sentence offenders to as long as four years without an open trial.

During the 15 months of forced labor that followed, Ran lost 15 kilograms in weight as he repeatedly petitioned the courts for his release. His appeal was heard three times, and rejected twice.