Procedural justice

MORE THAN ONE-FIFTH OF THE CLAUSES IN THE current Criminal Procedure Law are subject to revision in its updated version now under scrutiny by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC).

The second major revision of the 1979 law, which aims to ensure the accurate and prompt ascertainment of the facts of crimes, involves suspects' rights while in police custody, the obligations of witnesses and their protection, evidence collection and confessions, a death penalty review and a lot more.

Once approved - though any revised draft approved by the NPC Standing Committee will have to be examined and passed by the full session of the NPC in March - the changes will amount to another milestone in Chinese jurisprudence.