Stop Land Seizures in China!
Since September, residents of the fishing village of Wukan, in Guandong Province, China, have been protesting government plans to build factories, luxury apartments, and shopping malls on stolen land.
Land seizures are common in China. According to The New York Times, over 70 million Chinese farmers were forced from their land between 1994 and 2004 Up to 80 percent of these land seizures were illegal.
Farmers have nowhere to turn. Official corruption is widespread. The New York Times reports that developers often pay government officials 50 times the amount given to farmers as compensation.
According to Human Rights Watch, those who seek official redress are often beaten, bullied, and imprisoned. Suicide is so common that in 2006 Beijing passed a law banning "suicide protests."
Tell President Hu Jintao to stop all land seizures!
We the undersigned demand that you stop the common practice of seizing privately owned land, to make way for 'development.' Golf courses and shopping malls must not be built on stolen land. While we understand the nation's rapid development, economic transformation must be made with the people's consent, and not at their expense.
We also ask that you follow the list of reforms recommended by Human Rights Watch, which include the transparent prosecution of corrupt local officials and the inclusion of local communities in decisions concerning planning and development.
Again, economic progress cannot occur at the expense of the Chinese people. Please stop all land seizures. We thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
