-

- 11

information there are good grounds to believe that Labor

Re-education is used in China to punish minor malcontents

and those whose political or moral conduct is otherwise

unacceptable to local party and state authorities.

The Provisional Labor Re-education Measures is a

short document of 180 Chinese characters, giving little procedural guidance for the imposition of Labor

Re-education. There are apparently no provisions for an arrest or formal charge. According to earlier regulations

issued by the State Council in 1979, Labor Re-education

sentences must be investigated and approved by Committees

composed of representatives of the Civil Affairs, Public

Security and Labor Ministries. Sentences normally range

from one to three years, and may be extended for one more

year where necessary.

7.

Criminal Law

(i)

Detention

In contrast to other Chinese statutes granting

powers of detention to the public security authorities, the

Criminal Procedure Law

刑事訴訟法) contains

relatively detailed provisions governing detention

and

arrest procedures. Article 41 of the Law sets out a number

of situations in which public security personnel are authorized to detain members of the public without arrest.

These are as follows :

(a) where an

(b)

individual is discovered in the

preparation of, during, or immediately after the commission of a crime;

where an individual is identified by a victim or

་་

Share This Page