From Chinese Press

Unwillful demolitions

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-27 08:38

The judicial branch of the government should seek to find whether collusion has taken place between local governments and businesspeople with regard to the rampant takeover and demolitions of homes. We all know that a local government's interests are highly entangled in forced demolitions and investigations from higher authorities are sorely needed, says an article in the Beijng News. Excerpts:

As the central government mulls over a proposal on the demolition of homes, many local authorities are demolishing homes at a faster rate, which have resulted in messy and sometimes bloody disputes.

On April 18, a woman named Meng Jianfen was crushed to death by a bulldozer while trying to stop demolition crews from tearing her home down in Zhangjiaying village, Hebei province. Meng's mother, Hu Xifeng, drank pesticide to ward off the demolition, while her aunt, Hu Qiaofeng, was also severely hurt in the bulldozer crush. Local police reportedly arrested the driver of the bulldozer and the manager of the demolition project.

But past experiences show that the perpetrators of forced demolitions usually get off without a penalty while those who defend their properties to the death are jailed.

It is, however, difficult to investigate and prosecute people who are demolishing these homes. The existing demolition regulations should be abolished as quickly as possible.

It is also imperative to enhance the independence of the judiciary department and avoid local interests from encroaching judicial administration so as to uphold social fairness and justice.