Top prosecutor urges protection of lawyers' rights

BEIJING, March 25, 2015 -- Top Chinese prosecutor Cao Jianming has called for correction of misconduct plaguing the country's procuratorate including a lack of respect for lawyers' rights. Speaking at a Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) conference, Cao said problems highlighted at the recent national legislative session need to be addressed, such as obstructing lawyers from meeting with their clients, collecting evidence or browsing interrogation records. Prosecutors should give full consideration to lawyers' arguments, especially when they argue for acquittal or lighter charges for suspects. Procuratorates should also designate venues for lawyers to review case records, Cao was quoted as saying by an SPP document released on Tuesday. The top prosecutor also identified long-standing problems including illegal surveillance of suspects' homes, illegal property seizures, and trials conducted without video or audio recording.