Chengdu Citizen Tang Fuzhen Sets Herself on Fire to Protest Forced Demolition and Moving

• Author: China Law Digest compiled news

In August 1996, a married couple, Hu Changming and Tang Fuzhen, built a house of 1,600 square meters. Due to the lack of proper proceedings, the house was considered to be an illegal construction. In 2004, Mr. Hu and Ms. Tang divorced, with the house in Mr. Hu’s procession.

In 2007, the government of Chengdu City planned to construct some roads in support of an environmental protection project. It demanded that Hu demolish the house himself and decided to offer appropriate compensation. Because Hu asked for a high compensation, the two parties could not reach an agreement. In October 2007, the Bureau of City Management and Law Enforcement of Jinniu District ordered Hu to move by a deadline. Hu proposed an administrative reconsideration. However, the Bureau of City Management and Law Enforcement of Chengdu City upheld the decision of the Jinhui District’s . Hu did not file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations.

On April 10, 2009, the Bureau of City Management and Law Enforcement of Jinniu District started a forced demolition. The demolition was disrupted by the 47-year-old Ms. Tang, who threatened the operation by pouring gasoline on herself. On November 13, the Bureau forced the demolition again. Tang ignited the gasoline with a lighter. After 16 days, Tang died despite the rescue effort.

The house was demolished as previously scheduled. The local police arrested five relatives from the Tang and Hu families and put four under household surveillance on the charge of suspected obstruction of official function.

According to the...