Legislators critical of poetic scandal
5/3/2007 9:29
Law makers arriving in Beijing for the top legislature's annual session have
criticized government officials in the municipality of Chongqing over the
"Pengshui poem scandal" which saw a civil servant arrested after he wrote a
satirical poem mocking local officials last year, saying it is a step back for
justice and the nation's move to build a harmonious society.
"It is a
crude infringement on the freedom of speech and humiliates our move to build a
harmonious society and a society governed by law," said Chen Zhonglin, dean of
Southwest University of Political Science and Law.
Chen is in Beijing for
the Fifth Session of the 10th National People's Congress, the national
legislature, which opens today.
Qin Zhongfei, a civil servant in Pengshui
County of Chongqing, was arrested last September for sending a satirical poem
poking fun at three leading local officials to several friends by text message
and e-mail.
Qin's arrest caused a furor on the Internet and sparked
nationwide criticism, which led to his release four weeks later.
The case
was dubbed the "Pengshui poem scandal" and has been a hot topic in China ever
since.
Chen Zhonglin, an NPC deputy, questioned the role of local
prosecutors, judges and police in the affair.
Pengshui police boss Zhou
Mingguang compared the police to "the son of government," saying "how could we
ignore this when our father is beaten?"
According to the law, government
and Communist Party leaders cannot intervene in the freedom of justice. The
procuratorial and judicial officials are appointed by and only accountable to
the local people's congress, Chen said.
Xinhua news
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