Innocent Chinese street vendors are being brutally beaten by those who are supposed to be looking out for their well being. The “chengguan,” a para-police agency tasked with enforcing non-criminal urban administrative regulations, has been criticised by Human Rights Watch in a report published on May 23, for carrying out violent attacks.
The “chengguan,” do not have the legal authority to detain or use excessive force.. Yet, no one seems to be stopping them. Despite this mistreatment being very public there is no monitoring, checks or investigations into their activity. Many Chinese have been left in fear, one Beijing street vendor reports, “They punched me in the face until my face was swollen.”
Sophie Richardson, China director at Human Rights Watch, is concerned that if they are permitted to continue public resentment will increase and result in more violent confrontations. Ask the Chinese government to condemn chengguan assaults on and illegal detention of suspected administrative law violators.
To the Chinese Government
We, the undersigned, submit this petition asking for the Chinese government to put a stop to the illegal detention and violent assaults of suspected administrative law violators.
The Human Rights Watch has outlined in their report “Beat Him, Take Everything Away”
Abuses by China’s Chengguan Para-Police, published on the 23 May 2012 details many cases of abuse by the chengguan. For example, it included victims claiming that they were illegally detained, despite the chengguan not having the authority to detain suspects. Many street vendors report that their property was confiscated without explanation. Journalists who have attempted to report on cases have themselves been targeted with violent abuse by the chennguan.
The Chinese Government must not let this behaviour continue. Please take immediate action to ensure that no more innocent people become the victims of chengguan abuse.
Thank you for your attention.
