Two lawyers face the permanent revocation of their license because they defended activists, political prisoners and members of Falun Gong. The police place under house arrest eight activists, arrest 20. Last year, 18 other legal staff have had their licenses revoked.

Beijing (AsiaNews / CHRD) - About 200 people, including lawyers and activists demonstrated today in front Municipal Bureau of Justice in Beijing (Umgp) in support of two lawyers who face the permanent revocation of their license. The two, Liu Wei and Tang Jitian are targeted for defending human rights activists, political prisoners and members of Falun Gong. If the waiver is applied they will never be able to practise law again. The Umgp have long asked for the removal of the two from the bar. Today, a hearing was held, but so far there has been no verdict.

The charge relates to a trial held on April 27 2009 in Luzhou (Sichuan), during which the two left the courtroom in protest against the conduct of Chief Justice and other judges.

The justice system in China must obey the Party and its decisions - especially those against political prisoners - are decided before trials even begin. While the two defended themselves within the Umgp, the demonstration outside the building was under tight police control. At least eight lawyers and activists could not participate because they were forced under house arrest today. Among them: Li Fangping, Li Xiongbing, Li Subin, Li Heping. Twenty protesters were arrested. Faced with corruption and violence that dominates Chinese society, many people turn to lawyers who, defying the orders of the party seek to have the law enforced. For some years real groups of "human rights lawyers" have arisen, willing - often for free - to defend people who have suffered injustices.