Judge fired for bizarre protest
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A judge in Hubei Province has been fired after protesting outside his own courthouse over what he describes as unfair treatment of his wife when she lost her job as a cleaning lady for the court.
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Judge fired for bizarre protest |
The judge, Feng Bin, who has worn his judicial uniform during the two-year-long protest, told the Global Times that he received a notice from the Xiaogan Intermediate People's Court Monday afternoon saying he had been removed.
Feng said he was sacked by the head of the court, Zhan Yunfa, on two grounds of dismissal.
"One of which is that I beat Zhan and the other is that I hurt an official in the labor bureau last year," Feng said.
He denied the allegations and said he did not beat up anyone.
"I had faith in the law before. But I am confused now. I am considering whether to seek arbitration against my dismissal," he said.
The decision to dismiss Feng was made on July 8 based on the People's Court Organization Act and Judge Law, according to official documents cited in a report Tuesday by China Youth Daily.
Feng's bizarre protest against termination of his wife's cleaning contract has been making headlines since 2008.
The saga began when the Xiaogan court signed a one-year contract with his wife, Hu Min, after her 10 years of service as a courthouse cleaner.
Feng argued that his wife should be offered a permanent position in the court under the Labor Contract Law, which took effect in 2008.
However, the court ignored Feng's request, and terminated his wife employment.
Feng sued the Xiaogan Intermediate People's Court in other provincial courts but all his attempts failed.
At one point, he blocked the cars of senior government officials and judges to raise his complaint, and traveled to the Supreme People's Court in Beijing to petition.
Wearing his judicial uniform and a red judge's badge, Feng held up a flyer reading, "grievance," outside the Hubei Higher People's Court.
Chen Tao, a lawyer with the Junyong Law Firm and a member of the Beijing Bar Association, told the Global Times that Feng has a right to protest, but his actions are not appropriate for a judge.
"A judge's uniform reflects the dignity of national laws, so Feng should not wear his uniform to deal with personal issues," the lawyer said.
"However, sacking him is not the best decision. It is an excessive punishment," he added.
He said a judge should only be fired when he or she violates regulations or desecrates the dignity of law.
Du Yan, a lawyer based in Beijing, said Feng has chosen a different way to show his faith in the legal system.
"Many people don't know how to protect their rights. I think Feng is showing them how," he told the Global Times Tuesday.
The Xiaogan Intermediate People's Court could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
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