They are in hot water on parading 4 people through streets for

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Authorities in the city of Baise, in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, are in the middle of a controversy after they paraded four suspects of illegal human trafficking through the streets as a punishment for violating anti-epidemic rules. Some experts and netizens noted that this violated Chinese law and exposed problems in grassroots management although the penalty may help deter lawbreakers.

According to videos circulating on social media platforms on Wednesday, eight police officers escorted four suspects walking through a busy street in Jingxi, Baise, with a crowd surrounding them and watching.   

The eight police officers and four suspects all wore head-to-toe protective suits. Boards showing the suspects' photos and names hung on the suspects' chest and back. 

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According to media reports, the four suspects helped others illegally cross Chinese borders while the country was under strict border management and required all international arrivals to quarantine amid the severe pandemic. Leading them through the street is a strategy by the local authorities to reveal the cases and warn the public.

The authorities also placed notices on the wall with the suspects' photos, names and other personal information. 

They told media that these measures are in accordance with local anti-epidemic regulations and are "not improper." 

Border areas in Guangxi have enhanced measures to avoid the spread of coronavirus, including encouraging residents to report information on illegal crossings, amid mounting epidemic control pressure in winter and sporadic outbreaks that were traced to imported sources. 

Two suspects separately surnamed Bi and Huang in Jingxi were approved the arrest by the local procuratorate on Monday as they helped two foreigners illegally cross the Chinese border in October. One of the stowaways was found positive for the novel coronavirus, leading to about 50,000 residents in Jingxi being quarantined at home, which seriously affected the local economy and local people's livelihoods.  
 

Amid controversy, the authority in Jingxi, Baise told media that they had noticed the discussion on social media. The authorities in Napo and Daxin have not made any response so far. 

Source:globaltimes

Editor: Crystal H

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