Rules to better guard rights of prisoners on death row

Convicts on death row soon will be able to meet not only with their close family members but also with other relatives or friends, according to a new guideline released by the top court on Friday to better protect the rights and interests of those to be executed.

China's Criminal Procedure Law has permitted death convicts to have contact with their close family members such as a spouse and children before execution, but starting Sept 1, when the guideline takes effect, those about to be executed may also meet with other relatives or friends with a justifiable reason.

The 13-article guideline from the Supreme People's Court aims to better regulate procedures for review of death sentences and the execution.