A Hebei couple demanding compensation for what they say was the forced abortion of their nine-month-old fetus six years ago had their landmark claim against a birth control bureau heard yesterday in a county court.
Yang Zhongchen and his wife, Jin Yani , from Anshan town in Changli county , say the Changli birth control bureau illegally ordered doctors and officials to abort Ms Jin's first and only unborn child in September 2000, to meet targets for reducing fertility rates. The couple also say the abortion left her infertile.
The lawsuit is significant because, despite the enormous number of claims of violence used to implement the mainland's controversial one-child policy, few result in a hearing.
Ms Jin was 20 years old and married Mr Yang in May 2000, when she unexpectedly became pregnant without first reporting to the bureau for permission to be included in the community's birth quota.
Mr Yang said he then tried to get permission for the birth, but was refused by a village official as his wife was not a permanent local resident.
Ms Jin said six officials forcibly took her to a clinic and injected her with a drug to kill the fetus and induce the abortion.
