Blacklisting petitioners is misuse of power

The government of Xunyang county in Northwest China's Shaanxi province has announced it will record the names of the "repeat" petitioners in the county annals. It said the aim is not to dissuade normal petitioners, but to let people condemn trouble-makers. Comments:

Complaining about the misconduct of government departments to a higher authority is the legal right of Chinese citizens. The law also has specific stipulations to regulate the way that governments handle petitioners. The Xunyang county government must act in accordance with the law if it really does not intend to dissuade people from exercising their right to petition.

Beijing Times, July 27