Reform of selection of procuratorate supervisors applauded

A commentary published by the Communist Party of China's (CPC) flagship newspaper applauded a reform plan to strip procuratorates of the right to appoint their own supervisors.

The plan, announced by judicial authorities on Tuesday, will "ensure that procuratorates' power is always exercised in the sun", according to a commentary in Friday's edition of the People's Daily.

The current system of "people's supervisors" has been in place nationwide since 2010. Procuratorates have been allowed to select people to scrutinize their work.

The reform plan transfers that power to justice organs, and also allows ordinary members of the public to put themselves forward to be considered for the roles.

The People's Daily said that more than 48,000 people's supervisors have been appointed so far, and that they have raised objections to procuratorates' handling of 2,125 cases. The paper said the system has effectively protected human rights and safeguarded justice.

However, it also pointed to problems including the lack of independence in supervisors' selection and their limited scope to force procuratorates to act transparently. The reform will "expand the scope of public supervision", most notably in cases relating to abuse of power, it said. Endi