The
Supreme People's Procuratorate yesterday introduced a new
system under which local prosecutors will be held responsible for
cases within their jurisdiction in an effort to prevent the swarm
of cases flooding provincial procuratorates.
Zhao Dengju, vice-procuratorate-general of the Supreme People's
Procuratorate, said at a press conference that prosecutors who take
up complaints, criminal appeals and criminal compensation cases
should remain responsible for them until they are dropped or
settled.
Under the new system, delay in forwarding complaints to the
relevant departments and in case-handling is warned against.
It
also reiterates that delaying revision and correction of cases
where mistakes have been made and refusing to handle criminal
compensation cases that should be dealt with will not be
allowed.
"The obligations of prosecutors should be clarified," said Yao
Shigen, responsible for the handling of complaints under the
Supreme People's Procuratorate. "Those who deliberately delay the
handling of cases, refuse to correct improperly handled cases or
who refuse to approve compensation will be investigated and
punished."
According to sources with the Supreme People's Procuratorate,
details for the implementation of the new system are being drafted
and are expected to come out early next year.
Provincial procuratorates have been plagued with heavy caseloads in
recent years, among which many are cases that should be handled by
their local subordinates but fall into their hands because the
complainants do not have confidence in the work of the local
procuratorates.
"The heavy caseloads have directly affected the provincial
procuratorates' ability to provide overall guidance to their
subordinates and to conduct policy studies," said Zhao.
Zhao was confident about the new system, saying it will strengthen
the procuratorates' role of supervision as well as improving the
quality and efficiency of case-handling and reducing costs.
"Procuratorates are the last line of defense to guarantee the
correct implementation of the law," said Zhao. "Their role in
maintaining social stability and safeguarding judicial fairness is
important."
(China
Daily December 25, 2001)