Victims get help with legal fight

BEIJING - People who claim their rights were infringed upon by the government will find it easier to seek compensation following the release of a new regulation from the nation's top court.

The regulation, a judicial interpretation of the State Compensation Law that was adopted in 1994 and amended last year, took effect on Tuesday. It stipulates that government bodies that are the subject of compensation claims are obliged to offer evidence of whether they infringed upon the plaintiffs' rights. If they fail to provide evidence, they will be considered responsible.

The Supreme People's Court, which drafted the regulation, said it is aimed at better protecting victims' rights. The State Compensation Law regulates whether compensation should be paid to people who say their rights have been infringed upon by administrative or judicial agencies or officials.