China’s quake cover-up - Asia, World - The Independent.
May 5th, 2009 in Breaking News
Almost one year on from the Sichuan earthquake, Amnesty International has called on the Chinese government to stop intimidating parents and relatives of the child victims, who face harassment and arrest as they seek justice for the dead and injured.
The timing of the quake on 12 May 2008 was particularly harsh for the province’s children – it struck at 2.28pm, when most students were in class. Many of the younger pupils were having a nap before resuming lessons.
The number of children who perished has never been released officially, but some estimates put it at around 10,000 – out of a death toll of 80,000. More than 8,000 families lost their only child in the disaster, with angry parents blaming shoddy building – or “tofu construction” – for their loss.
Despite an initial openness in allowing foreign media to witness the aftermath of the quake, when public anger in China rose over badly built schoolhouses, the shutdown was swift and accusations of corruption were met with a stony silence.
Sources:FREE PRESS INTERNATIONAL
China's quake cover-up - Asia, World - The Independent
May 5th, 2009 in Breaking News
Almost one year on from the Sichuan earthquake, Amnesty International has called on the Chinese government to stop intimidating parents and relatives of the child victims, who face harassment and arrest as they seek justice for the dead and injured.
The timing of the quake on 12 May 2008 was particularly harsh for the province’s children – it struck at 2.28pm, when most students were in class. Many of the younger pupils were having a nap before resuming lessons.
The number of children who perished has never been released officially, but some estimates put it at around 10,000 – out of a death toll of 80,000. More than 8,000 families lost their only child in the disaster, with angry parents blaming shoddy building – or “tofu construction” – for their loss.
Despite an initial openness in allowing foreign media to witness the aftermath of the quake, when public anger in China rose over badly built schoolhouses, the shutdown was swift and accusations of corruption were met with a stony silence.
Sources:FREE PRESS INTERNATIONAL
China's quake cover-up - Asia, World - The Independent