Forced evictions

Many people have been forced out of their homes to make way for Olympics-related development in Beijing.

The Geneva-based Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions estimates more than 1.25 million Beijing residents have been displaced by urban development projects, some directly related to the Olympics. It thinks that number is likely to rise to 1.5 million by August this year.

Many of those evicted are reportedly forced out without due process and without adequate compensation.

Usually they are relocated to poor-quality housing on the city outskirts. Real estate companies, which often are owned or linked to the authorities, who evicted the tenants, can then sell the land to developers for a large profit.

China’s Foreign Ministry dispute the figures, saying, as at June, just over 6,000 Beijing families have been displaced by Olympic preparations over the previous five years.

Among those jailed for protesting about the issue is housing rights activist Ye Guozhu, who lost his restaurants and home to Olympic-related construction work. He is serving four years for “picking quarrels and stirring up trouble” after applying to hold a peaceful anti-eviction demonstration.

Wang Ling is serving 15 months 'Re-education Through Labour' after she signed petitions and organised banners to protest about the demolition of her property for an Olympic construction project.

Yang Chunlin collected petition signatures from farmers whose land had been confiscated. The petition was called “We want human rights not the Olympics”. He has been convicted of subversion and sentenced to five years in jail.