Procuratorates urged to boost protection of minors

China's procuratorial agencies have been urged to improve their work in protecting the rights of children in litigation to meet new requirements in the country's Civil Code and Law on the Protection of Minors.

The procuratorates have been asked to follow the principle of considering what's in the best interest of minors as required by the Civil Code, which will take effect on Jan 1, according to a document issued by the Supreme People's Procuratorate after a national meeting on Monday.

Further, the newly revised Law on the Protection of Minors, which will take effect in June, stipulates enhanced judicial relief in cases in which minors' rights and interests are violated. The procuratorates should take active and effective measures to perform their duties in this regard, the document said.

Such work includes greater efforts to support victims' claims in litigation related to sexual violations against minors as well as intensified work to curb the illegal collection and use of minors' personal information through the internet or mobile phones, the document said.

The procuratorates have also been urged to improve their work to ensure proper care and guardianship of all children, which has been stipulated in the laws.

The SPP also called on the procuratorates to provide better support to migrant workers and other vulnerable groups in lawsuits to protect their legitimate rights.