China plans to make changes to its one-child policy and labor camp program

The Xinhua news agency reported on Friday that China will ease up on its one-child policy and abolish labor camps in a human rights movement. The change would allow families to have two children, as long as at least one parent does not have any siblings. Originally the one-child policy was put in place to slow China’s rapid population explosion, but problems like unsafe abortions have resulted because of the law and have prompted officials to take another look at the benefits.

China will also get rid of its labor camp system, which the government calls “re-education through labor.” Millions of people were put in the labor camps without any form of trial, and millions more have died because of the harsh conditions. Another change will include reducing the number of crimes that are subject to the death penalty.

Communist leaders in China have meeting over the course of four days to discuss a variety of ambitious reforms. “More attention also needs to be paid to employment, income levels, social security and people’s health,” said a document from the meeting.