From Chinese Press

Eviction tragedies should end

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-09-29 07:50

The Yihuang eviction case in Jiangxi province became public recently. Investigations have been ordered against officials allegedly responsible for the incident such as the secretary of the county Party committee and the county magistrate, as well as the dismissed deputy magistrate, says an article on www.xinhuanet.com. Excerpts:

The Constitution is supposed to give priority to safeguarding citizens' right and interests, and the Property Law has provisions for protecting the rights of homeowners. Therefore, the frequent use of violence to evict homeowners, which sometimes claims lives, is a violation of citizens' rights and the spirit of law.

It is strictly stipulated in relevant national legislation and rules of requisitioning land and houses. Even people who have to relocate but fail to do so within schedule should be dealt with people's courts. But what we see from media reports most of the time is abuse of power by some local governments and officials, which not only runs counter to good governance but also leads to tragedy.

Such incidents are like a mirror reflecting the twisted achievements of some local governments and officials in their desperation to seek quick success.

What's worse is that many of such officials claim their actions are in "public interest".

The Yihuang eviction is a tragedy we don't want to see again. Yihuang-like incidents are a reminder to officials that they have to always respect the rights of the people and perform their duties lawfully.

 

(China Daily 09/29/2010 page9)