Chinese legislators are considering amending a law that would allow adult guardians to accompany criminal suspects under 18 years old during police interrogation.

 

The draft amendment to the law on the protection of minors states police and prosecutors should allow guardians of minors who are suspects, witnesses or victims to accompany the children during questioning.

 

The amendment is under deliberation by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) during a five-day session.

 

The law originally required police and public prosecutors to take "proper measures" in questioning minors at "proper places". However, the article was criticized as being too vague. Zhou Ze, associate professor at the China Youth University for Political Sciences, confidently stated the revision would offer more direct protection to minors.

 

The draft amendment would also ban commercial dance halls, bars and Internet cafes from admitting minors, a move coming amidst growing concerns of Internet addiction among young people.

 

The government claims there are 15.4 million young people among the 123 million regular Internet users. Two million young people are believed to be addicted, and the number is increasing.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2006)