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Don't shut the legal options

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-01 07:22

Cutting off channels between legal help and the public so that there would be fewer petitions is a wrong way to create a harmonious society, says an article in the website of People's Daily. The following is an excerpt:

The government of Keerqin District in Tongliao city, Inner Mongolia, has for years employed all the local lawyers as government legal advisors. And according to their contracts, lawyers are not allowed to act for public clients in cases against the local government.

Frankly, legal advisors invited by local governments have been giving many valuable opinions to the latter in making scientific decisions, dealing with social disputes and raising the level of administrative work according to law. But entrusting all lawyers with such privileges is a move that arouses people's doubts.

Ironically, some local officials claimed that these lawyers voluntarily provided services for the government. But local lawyers are reported to be constantly pressured with "shape up or ship out" by officials from the local judicial department.

Some may say it is a collective compromise of the local lawyers. But the reality is that if they do not obey the local government, it is hard for them to have their professional practice.

But the public's complaints cannot be pacified by stitching their mouth, neither would they be satisfied with such a superficial social harmony with less or even no civil petitions.

To sue the government is a civil right granted by a law-ruled society to its citizens once their rights are offended. What we should do is both ensuring that the last option is always available for the masses in pursuing social justice. Also, we should do better administrative work according to law so that the number of petitions can be really reduced along with the growing degree of the public's satisfaction.

(China Daily 08/01/2008 page9)