New rules standardize work of discipline organs
China's disciplinary organs are required to finish interrogating Party members who are suspected of violating Party discipline within 90 days, during which they should still be addressed as "comrade," in an effort to protect the rights of Party members.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) released a provisional regulation on Friday, which demands that disciplinary organs complete an interrogation of a Communist Party of China (CPC) member that is under investigation within three months. This can be extended once for another three months after approval in special circumstances.
The new regulation says CPC members who are receiving investigation shall be called comrade and they will be required to study Party discipline, engage in self-examination and explain their mistakes through ideological and political education.
This new regulation, which includes the organs' scope of work and rights protection for Party members, aims to standardize the working practices of disciplinary organs, Zhi Zhenfeng, a legal expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday.
The new regulation does not mention shuanggui, an extralegal form of detention and interrogation imposed on Party officials who are suspicious of violating administrative discipline at a designated place and time.
"A number of legal experts have strongly criticized the practice of shuanggui for violating suspects' personal freedom and sometimes, the period of detention during shuanggui is not limited," Zhi said.
The practice of shuanggui was also criticized as it does not specify how long those investigated could be held, while the new regulation caps the period to 90 days, Zhi said.
Disciplinary organs are also required to listen to what the Party members have to say and ensure their diet, rest and medical services, the new instruction says. Insults, abuse and physical punishment are prohibited, according to the instruction.
The inspection organs at and above city level are encouraged to separate supervision from interrogation departments, which implies the reform idea of splitting the rights to supervise and interrogate, Li Yongzhong, former deputy director at the China Discipline Inspection and Supervision Institute, was quoted by the Beijing News as saying on Saturday.
China will establish a national supervision committee by March 2018 as part of the country's anti-corruption campaign, with jurisdiction over Party organs, according to the CCDI.
The committee will also be authorized to investigate those who work in the State-owned enterprises, public education management, scientific, cultural, medical and sports institutions as well as those entrusted by the government with public duties.
The Party's disciplinary watchdogs at all levels are also required to use videotape during interrogations, for the prevention of torture to extort confessions.
