Laogai Research Foundation Releases "Bodies on Display: The Risks in Trading in Human Remains from China."

July 12, 2010, Washington, DC- The Laogai Research Foundation just released a new action report entitled "Bodies on Display: The Risks in Trading in Human Remains from China." The report addresses the potential use of executed Chinese prisoners' bodies in traveling bodies exhibitions around the world.  The report also includes a case study on Premier Exhibitions, Inc., detailing its use of unclaimed Chinese bodies for their traveling shows.  To download the report click here.
 
Laogai Research Foundation Executive Director Harry Wu said of Premier's use of unclaimed bodies, "Companies like Premier who use bodies for their traveling shows which are 'unclaimed' Chinese bodies run the risk of using the remains of executed prisoners.   To allow visitors to this exhibition to continue to believe there is no contention about the provenance of the specimens or the deceased's' willingness to be displayed should be a crime."
 
The report also details different policy and legislative actions taken on this issue to date, featuring examples in California, Hawaii, and at the federal level.  The report also highlights the legislation proposed on June 15, 2010 by Congressmen Todd Akin, HR 5524 in the House of Representatives. The bill proposes to amend the Smoot-Hawley act to prohibit the import of plastinated bodies from China. Congressmen Akin said of LRF's most recent publication, ""I commend the Laogai Research Foundation for its courage and its commitment to opposing the exploitation of political prisoners for profit.  As a nation we should not tolerate even a chance that we are allowing the public display of executed prisoners for profit.  Such a display is an affront to our national conscience and makes a mockery of all we profess to hold dear. We should fight political oppression not reward it financially."
 
For more information or to request a copy of a report, contact Lindsey Purdy at Lindsey@laogai.org or 202-408-8300.