Scholars want special inquiry

By Sun Xiaobo Source:Global Times Published: 2012-11-2 0:55:04

Four Chinese scholars have written to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) urging it use its constitutional powers to set up a special investigation board to look into the death of a farmer who was shot by a police officer during a land dispute in Liaoning Province in September.

The scholars say the NPC should use Article 71 of the Constitution to establish the board that can compel individuals and groups to testify about an event.

The news portal Caixin Online reported the letter Thursday, adding that the NPC has never used its powers under Article 71 to establish a board of investigation. It was also asked to do so after the Wenzhou high-speed train crash in July 2011.

Called the "sleeping beauty" by the legal sector, the power to establish a special board of inquiry was first written into the Constitution in 1954 and then again in 1982.

"This incident saw a police officer shot a person dead. Something has to be done to prevent this from happening again," said Sheng Hong, one of the authors of the letter and executive director of Unirule Institute of Economics, an independent think-tank.

The three other writers are professors of law at three different universities.

Local police in the city of Panjin said an officer acted in self-defense when he shot and killed a local farmer who was attempting to block heavy equipment from entering his land.

The local public security bureau promised a full investigation but no update has been posted on its website since September 21, two days after the shooting.

Sheng posted the letter on his Sohu blog questioning the handling of the case by local authorities and urging the special board of investigation board be established.

Zhao Qingjun, a lawyer with the Beijing Liang Gao Law Firm, told the Global Times he doubts a board will be established.

"Article 71 may be applied only to investigate major political issues. The Panjin incident may not be big enough," Zhao said.

Caixin Online first reported the letter early Thursday but the article was later removed from its website.

The letter remained posted on Sheng's blog as of late Thursday.



Posted in: Society

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