China's system of labour camps, established in the 1950's, have been used for decades to imprison 'dissidents' for up to three years without trial. Christian pastors and members of un-registered house churches have been sentenced to these camps in the past with little or no trial. One such pastor was the deputy director of the Chinese House Church Alliance who spent six months there in 2011. On January 8th 2013 government critics said they remain sceptical that the government will improve standards within the justice system, following an official announcement on the 7th that labour camps would be overhauled. An underground Catholic Bishop who wishes to be quoted anonymously said, 'The end of re-education through labour would make little difference to religious freedom in China.
Pray: that this step towards religious freedom in China would turn out to be the first of many in the same direction. (Jer.34:17a)