BEIJING - A controversial amendment has included the principle of "respecting and protecting human rights", a spokesman of the top legislature said on Sunday. This is a major step made in response to various social appeals.

An amendment to the Criminal Procedural Law, the country's basic guideline on cracking down on criminal offenses and protecting people, has made its latest change to include an article of "respecting and protecting human rights". This was in its general provisions to correspond with the Constitution, said Li Zhaoxing, spokesman of the 5th session of the 11th National People's Congress.

The Criminal Procedural Law, first introduced in 1979 and latest amended in 1996, does not include the protection of human rights as an essential provision, and has long been criticized by experts.

Chen Guangzhong, a leading expert on criminal procedure, said human rights protection is not excluded to the innocent.

"In fact, it should be a universal principle that applies to all. A criminal's rights to defense and appeal should also be protected," said Chen.

The amendment will be submitted to the National People's Congress for review, Li said.