Special leave possible for those under administrative detention

People under administrative detention can apply to leave the detention house if they meet special circumstances, an official from the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, said on Friday.

Huang Haihua, spokesman of the NPC Standing Committee's Legislative Affairs Commission, told a news conference that the circumstances include a detainee taking entrance examinations, the birth of his or her child, or the critical illness or death of his or her family members.

The circumstances are expected to be added in a draft amendment to the Law on Penalties for Administration of Public Security, which is scheduled to be further reviewed by national legislators next week, according to him.

"The added content aims to respect and protect human rights, and also to regulate and supervise administrative behaviors," he said.

In response to public concerns about illegal dog keeping and dog harming others, he revealed that the draft amendment is planning to increase penalties for selling or raising dangerous animals such as fierce dogs, as well as for animals harming others.

The draft revision, as an important legislative item that is close to everyone, was submitted to the NPC Standing Committee for first review in August last year, receiving widespread public attention.

After the review, the full version of the document was published on the top legislature's website to solicit public opinions, with one clause quickly triggering a debate on Chinese social media. It stated that a person will be given a detention of five to 10 days, or a fine, if he or she wears, or forces others to wear or signs that "hurts the feelings of the Chinese nation".

In the solicitation, some people questioned what kind of clothes or signs could be identified as "hurtful", complaining such expression in the clause was difficult to define and implement.

In view of the complaint, "the new version of the draft amendment to be considered next week has clarified the part, with specific stipulations," Huang said.

In addition, he added that how to deal with cases of juveniles disturbing public order, which also received huge public attention during the solicitation, are expected to be further optimized in the new draft amendment.