Mongol herders in rights storm
Six ethnic Mongol herders stand trial tomorrow in Inner Mongolia after trying to defend grazing land from being seized by a forestry firm, in a case that renews attention on rights abuses and the environment in the resource-rich region.
Minority ethnic Mongols have long complained about traditional pastures being ruined by mining and desertification, and government efforts to force them to settle in permanent houses.
Coal-rich Inner Mongolia was rocked by protests in 2011 after an ethnic Mongol herder was killed by a truck while taking part in protests against pollution caused by a coal mine. Ethnic Mongols make up less than 20 percent of the region's population.
The six herders will face charges of "sabotaging production and management" and "intentionally destroying public or private properties," said Huhbulag, a lawyer appointed to represent them but later barred by authorities from doing so.
They were arrested in June after a clash with Han workers from the state- owned Wengniuteqi Shuanghe Forestry, their family members said.
The six, who had accused the workers of illegally occupying their grazing land, face up to seven years in jail.
"The ordinary people survive on their land, now that it's been sold to others, can the people be satisfied?" said the sister of one of the accused, Tulguur. His wife said he will not plead guilty.
Huhbulag said the herders are being made an example of. He said: "The case of these six herders is `killing a chicken to scare a monkey,' that is, if the people petition, they have the power to arrest you and put you on trial."
REUTERS
Minority ethnic Mongols have long complained about traditional pastures being ruined by mining and desertification, and government efforts to force them to settle in permanent houses.
Coal-rich Inner Mongolia was rocked by protests in 2011 after an ethnic Mongol herder was killed by a truck while taking part in protests against pollution caused by a coal mine. Ethnic Mongols make up less than 20 percent of the region's population.
The six herders will face charges of "sabotaging production and management" and "intentionally destroying public or private properties," said Huhbulag, a lawyer appointed to represent them but later barred by authorities from doing so.
They were arrested in June after a clash with Han workers from the state- owned Wengniuteqi Shuanghe Forestry, their family members said.
The six, who had accused the workers of illegally occupying their grazing land, face up to seven years in jail.
"The ordinary people survive on their land, now that it's been sold to others, can the people be satisfied?" said the sister of one of the accused, Tulguur. His wife said he will not plead guilty.
Huhbulag said the herders are being made an example of. He said: "The case of these six herders is `killing a chicken to scare a monkey,' that is, if the people petition, they have the power to arrest you and put you on trial."
REUTERS
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