User:PalaceGuard008/Soft detention

Soft detention is a term used to describe certain types of house arrest used by authorities in the People's Republic of China (the "PRC").

Terminology

The term "soft detention" as used in English is a literal, character-by-character translation of the general Chinese term ruanjin (Chinese: 软禁; pinyin: ruǎnjìn), which in general usage is equivalent to the English term "house arrest". However, "soft detention" when used in English refers to the specific types of house arrest practised in the PRC, and not house arrest in general.

Modern practices

(Description of modern practices, with examples)

This restriction was employed on the history teacher Yuan Tengfei who included information about banned aspects of modern Chinese history in his lectures.

Chen Guangcheng.

Comparison to ancient Chinese practices

(Comparison to ancient practices, with ? examples) It has its roots in the practices of the Chinese Empire which employed it as early as the Northern Song Dynasty when those such as Su Shi who criticized the emperor were subjected to it. Traditionally, and in modern practice, there are three levels of restriction; the loosest, "juzhuk," restricts the detainee to their home district. The second level, “anzhi,” employed anciently on Su Shi, restricts the prisoner to their home, but they may be allowed to go for a walk or go to work. The severest form, “bianguan,” which was imposed on the human rights activist Chen Guangcheng involves limited movement of the prisoner to their home, constant surveillance, restriction of contract with others, and, sometimes, harassment,

External links

• New York Times video of the escape of Chen Guangcheng from house arrest