Amendment allows secret investigations
BEIJING - A controversial clause in a draft amendment to China's Criminal Procedure Law has met with mixed reaction from legal experts for allowing the police to conduct secret investigation and detention of suspects of national security crimes.
While some legal experts warned of possible abuse of such controversial measures, others argued that they will further help protect human rights, and conform to rather than contradict international conventions.
The experts made the remarks in response to doubts cast by international media over an article in the draft submitted last week to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature. The media outlets contended that the article violates international conventions and international law.