Harry Wu, Chinese human rights activist (d. 2016)

Harry Wu (Chinese: 吴弘达; pinyin: Wú Hóngdá), born on February 8, 1937, and passing away on April 26, 2016, was an exceptionally influential Chinese-American human rights activist. His life's trajectory and unwavering dedication were profoundly shaped by an astonishing nearly two decades of incarceration within China's notorious forced labor camps, an experience that fueled his relentless global advocacy.

Wu's harrowing ordeal began in 1960 when he was arrested and condemned as a "rightist" or "counter-revolutionary" during the Anti-Rightist Campaign in China, a political purge initiated by the Communist Party. For 19 years, until his release in 1979, he endured the brutal realities of the "Laogai" system – a Chinese term literally translating to "reform through labor." These camps, unlike conventional prisons, were designed not merely for punishment but for the ideological and physical re-education of political dissidents, intellectuals, and other perceived enemies of the state through grueling manual labor, often under conditions of starvation, severe deprivation, and constant political indoctrination. Wu's survival through this period of intense hardship provided him with unique, first-hand insight into one of the most secretive and repressive aspects of Chinese governance.

Following his release, Harry Wu eventually emigrated from China and found refuge in the United States, where he became a resident and later a naturalized citizen. This newfound freedom and the democratic platform it offered empowered him to dedicate his life to exposing the human rights abuses he had witnessed and experienced, becoming a vocal and courageous critic of the Chinese Communist Party's repressive policies.

In 1992, driven by an unyielding commitment to reveal the truth about China's coercive labor system to the world, Harry Wu established the Laogai Research Foundation (LRF) in Washington D.C. The Foundation's primary mission was to systematically document, research, and raise global awareness about the existence, scale, and nature of the Laogai system, which remained largely unknown or misunderstood by the international community. Through the LRF, Wu meticulously collected evidence, testimonies, and official Chinese documents to illustrate the systematic human rights violations inherent in these facilities.

A significant and enduring achievement of the Laogai Research Foundation under Wu's leadership was the establishment of the Laogai Museum in Washington D.C. in 2008. This landmark institution marked the first museum in the United States dedicated exclusively to documenting communist prison systems and human rights abuses in China. Furthermore, Harry Wu famously undertook dangerous, clandestine return visits to China, often employing disguises, to gather irrefutable, contemporary evidence of the Laogai's ongoing operations. His brave investigative journalism, compelling personal testimony, and persistent advocacy played a crucial role in bringing vital international attention to China's human rights record, influencing global discourse and policy debates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Harry Wu and the Laogai System

Who was Harry Wu's primary focus as a human rights activist?

Harry Wu's primary focus was exposing the truth about China's "Laogai" (reform through labor) system, advocating for human rights, and documenting the extensive network of forced labor camps in China based on his own nearly two-decade long experience as a prisoner.

What does "Laogai" mean?

"Laogai" (劳改) is a Chinese term that translates literally to "reform through labor." It refers to the system of forced labor camps in the People's Republic of China, which were used to incarcerate and "re-educate" political dissidents, criminals, and other perceived enemies of the state through grueling physical work and ideological indoctrination.

When did Harry Wu found the Laogai Research Foundation?

Harry Wu founded the Laogai Research Foundation (LRF) in 1992, after he had settled in the United States following his release from the Laogai system and emigration from China.

Where is the Laogai Museum located?

The Laogai Museum, established by Harry Wu's Laogai Research Foundation, is located in Washington D.C., United States. It serves as a permanent exhibition dedicated to documenting communist prison systems and human rights abuses in China.