Reeducation through labor system to be abolished in China

Want China Times, Xinhua 2013-12-25

A reeducation through labor center in Hunan province, Nov. 20. (Photo/CNS)

China's Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) began reading a motion on the abolition of the reeducation through labor system — often referred to as "laojiao" in Chinese — on Monday.

The State Council's decision on reeducation through labor was approved by the top legislature in 1957, establishing the system. Supplementary regulations were approved in 1979.

The current motion points out that, for over 50 years, the system played an historically important role in safeguarding public security, maintaining social stability and reforming criminals.

Yang Huanning, vice minister of public security, explained the motion to lawmakers at the bimonthly session of the NPC Standing Committee, being held from Dec. 23 to 28.

Yang said with amendments to the Criminal Law and the implementation of laws such as the Law on Penalties for Administration of Public Security and the Anti-Drug Law, the functions of laojiao have been gradually replaced by other laws and the use of laojiao has been reduced in recent years.

"The time is ripe to abolish the reeducation through labor system," Yang said.

He said that once laojiao is abolished, relevant laws, judicial interpretations and documents will be adjusted accordingly. The State Council will organize departments to take over the roles which had formerly been played by the system, including releasing those still in the labor camps, reassigning police in charge of the system and converting the camps for other purposes.

Reeducation through labor dealt with minor offenders whose crimes did not warrant court proceedings. It allowed detention for up to four years without an open trial.

According to the key policy document approved by the landmark third plenary session of the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and published in November, China will abolish the laojiao system as part of a major effort to protect human rights.

Although the CPC has made the decision, the system cannot be formally done away with until the top legislature rubber stamps the motion for abolition.

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