Editorials

Stop forced demolitions

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-02 07:48

The recent conviction of a government official for abuse of power in a forced demolition case has triggered debate on whether a national crackdown is in the offing with regard to similar cases.

The official was deputy head of a city district in Fuyang, in east China's Anhui province, and was sentenced to 11 years behind bars for his role in a demolition case in which a local resident committed suicide.

Related readings:  New demolition payment rules are coming  Stop cruel demolition practice

On May 26, the State Council issued an urgent circular on the issue. The document stipulates that authorities must use only lawful means to demolish accommodation, pay reasonable compensation to displaced residents and make plans to relocate such householders.

Ironically, local TV reported the same day that officials of a poverty-stricken county in north China's Hebei province had demolished the homes of about 1,000 local residents within just 10 days - without signing contracts with the residents regarding compensation amounts or relocation plans.

And, the next day, another resident was killed during a forced demolition drive in Xushui town in Zhengzhou, Henan province. While local officials said the resident committed suicide by jumping to his death, some witnesses say he was forced off the roof by demolishers.

The pace of such tragedies is quite shocking, but new rules on forced demolitions are in the pipeline, and hopefully, these will put an end to the nexus between real estate developers and local governments in unlawful and barbaric demolitions.

To protect the interests of residents from being infringed upon during such blatant violations, the central government needs to show more determination and bring such abusers of power to justice.

That will not only help maintain the sanctity of the law but also the authority of the central government.

(China Daily 06/02/2010 page8)