Lawyers seek end to forced contraception (2)

While the population and family planning law encourages couples who have had a child to use contraception, it doesn't specifically require women to use contraception rings, nor does it connect hukou registration with contraception, Zhang told the Global Times. The law says the government is responsible for informing residents on safe and effective contraception measures and that family planning institutions should provide safe services for people.

The alleged practice has led to massive online criticism and discussions, with Web users denouncing the local officials for infringing on human rights and women's health. The issue became the focus of international uproar in June when Shaanxi resident Feng Jianmei was forced by local officials to abort her 7-month-old baby.

The mother of an 8-month-old in Guizhou Province, surnamed Chang, told the Global Times she was told by the residential community's administrators to undergo contraception surgery when she applied for her son's hukou in April.

"I managed to get a doctor's note to prove my health condition is currently unsuitable for the surgery. But I still have to place the device when my physical condition permits," she said. She explained that many of her friends who were forced to undergo the surgery suffer stomach pains and bleeding after the operation.