AFP , BEIJING
Sunday, Apr 04, 2004,Page 4
Beijing has issued a new regulation threatening to punish the large numbers of people flocking to the city to petition the government over social injustices, state media reported yesterday.
Shouting slogans, stopping government vehicles and surrounding offices of the Communist Party and the government are now considered illegal and punishable, the Xinhua news agency cited the regulation saying.
And in an indication of growing alarm over a recent spate of suicides and attempted suicides by petitioners who lose hope, the government said those people would also be punished.
"Anyone who seriously violates social order by committing suicide, self-immolation and other extreme activities such as harming themselves should be stopped by public security officers and should be subject to legal responsibilities," Xinhua cited the regulation saying.
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