OPINION> EDITORIALS
Course of true law
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-06-02 07:44

The rule of law has prevailed and justice appears to be on course.

After investigation, excessive self-defense is the charge that has been finally filed by a higher-level public security department against hotel pedicurist Deng Yujiao. The case has been shifted to local prosecutor's office for further legal proceedings.

Early last month, Deng allegedly killed an official with a fruit knife when he asked her for "special service" and humiliated her when she turned him down. The local police of Badong county first charged her with the crime of intentional murder when the case was still under investigation. This triggered a heated debate both online and in the print media.

It is understandable and natural for public opinion to favor Deng. Compared with the three local township officials, she is obviously the one at a disadvantage; and what most people wondered at the time was: why would a hotel pedicurist stab a local official to death without any provocation.

True, a sense of justice and sympathy for the underdog on the part of the general public should never become a substitute for the role of law or a judge. But, its impact should never be overestimated. Law does not necessarily represent justice; the unbiased and fair use of law does.

Course of true law

It is undeniable that great progress has been made in legislation in the past three decades. And a comparatively desirable legal framework has taken shape for the rule of law. But it is one thing to have all the laws in place and another to deliver justice by using these laws in a fair and impartial manner.

The investigation of what happened between Deng Yujiao and three local officials is a case in point. It is undoubtedly unfair and unjustifiable for local county police to investigate a case with the preconceived charge of intentional murder. It is unprofessional of them to have successively altered facts in their description of the case.

However, public opinion's watchdog role exerted pressure on the local police to bare the whole truth. This, in turn, prompted timely intervention by higher officials and helped wrap up the investigation to the satisfaction of the general public.

Apart from facing the disciplinary action taken by the local Party discipline inspection committee, another official who asked Deng for special service and took liberties with her is now being held for violation of public order.

While the outcome of the investigation has been satisfactory, the question of whether the police can be trusted to handle a case with an open mind without being influenced by extraneous forces remains a concern.

It is also heartening that the development of the rule of law in recent decades has heightened the general public's sense of justice and awareness of their own role as watchdog for delivery of justice.

(China Daily 06/02/2009 page8)