A Ministry of Justice official said on Tuesday that the human rights of criminals were well protected in China, with special attention paid to their safety, health and education.

"Criminal human rights refer to a kind of restricted human rights for people who have violated the law," said Li Yuqian, deputy-director of the Prison Administration under the ministry. "China has guaranteed such rights through legislation and law enforcement and ensured that criminals could practice the part of their rights which are not deprived in accordance with the law."

Criminal human rights could best represent a country's level of civilization and legal development. He added in recent years China had attached a lot of importance to the protection of criminal's rights and their education, and took effective measures to help prisoners to reform themselves in hope of a better future.

China adheres to the principle of prison management in accordance with the law, and strictly prohibits physical punishment and torture of prisoners. Any behavior related to severe torture, once detected, will be immediately dealt with and punished in accordance with the law.

Prisons all across the country also paid attention to criminals' rights for development, and tried to reform them into citizens who abided by the law and were able to support themselves.

Their living conditions have been improved and their daily necessities guaranteed by the prison distribution system. They can also get prompt and effective medical care through clinics attached to their prisons or hospitals affiliated to higher-level prisons and provincial prison administrations.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2008)