Protection of minors key to procuratorate work

Procuratorates nationwide filed 6,633 public interest litigation cases to protect minors last year, 4.2 times more than in 2020, effectively promoting the resolution of prominent issues involving minors, said the Supreme People's Procuratorate on Monday.

Na Yanfang, head of SPP's ninth procuratorial office, said that although all sectors have stepped up efforts to create comprehensive protection for minors, some shortcomings and deficiencies still exist.

Problems like food and drug safety issues related to minors, illegal admission of minors to hotels, internet cafes and bars, even businesses selling tobacco and alcohol to minors, have affected the efficiency of juvenile protection, Na said.

Focusing on such prominent issues, procuratorates have actively capitalized on public interest litigation, and the amended Law on the Protection of Minors, which took effect on June 1 last year, also laid sound legal support for juvenile protection, Na said.

"We will focus on the infringement of the public interests of minors in areas such as family, school, society, internet and government, and engage in public interest litigation to meet the expectations and needs for the judicial protection of minors," she said.

According to SPP, guidelines on handling public interest litigation involving minors will be formulated to improve the accuracy, standardization and effectiveness of procuratorial organs, and example cases will be promptly released to serve as a reference for their work.