CHAN: Since 2002 Shanghai residents have been fighting for their rights. Their homes have been forcefully demolished by the Communist Party and say they were intimidated.
Story: Since 2002 Shanghai residents have been fighting for their rights. Their homes have been forcefully demolished by the Communist Party and they say intimidation was involved.
Real estate agents are given the green light by authorities to build four new properties. But it’s on land families already occupy and they are simply relocated.
[Relocated Family]: “Corruption between the CCP high officials and the real estate agents, so whenever the agents go to court, they will always get the protection from bribed officials.”
Real estate agents use unreasonably low pricing to compensate families. Some are forced to sleep on the streets or receive apartments in remote rural areas, where no one wants to buy property.
[Relocated Family]: “Even if I sue them in court, it is no use at all. We write letters to officials, however, all those letters will sooner or later end up in the real estate agents’ hands.”
The relocated families say they can’t find any attorney to take their case.
One family went to the Shanghai Appeals office many times, and also went to Beijing three times. They were in turn beaten by the police.
In March this year one family member was put under house arrest for ten days because he went to appeal again.
[Relocated Family]: “I am about to sue them in court, even though I know it is very difficult. However, in order to protect my own legal rights, what else I can do, except for seeking protection from the law. I know it is a hard way to go, but I have to do it.”
The families say they will continue their fight.
Duration : 0:1:51
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