SPP rolls out reform plan to ensure judicial fairness

The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) issued its newest five-year work plan Sunday, rolling out measures to ensure judicial independence and fairness.

The SPP will explore ways of separating the administrative and judicial jurisdictions of procuratorates below provincial level, according to the plan, which covers reforms from 2013 to 2017.

Plans were also made to set up procuratorates that cross administrative divisions to reduce intervention in the judicial process from local powers.

The SPP will cooperate with other departments to establish systems to record officials' interventions in cases, so that those involved are held accountable.

To enhance counter-corruption efforts, procuratorates with cross-regional jurisdiction over duty crimes will be established, according to the plan.

Amid efforts to prevent wrongful convictions, procuratorate bodies will enhance supervision of criminal investigations by the police as well as measures to limit the movement of suspects.

Administrative compulsory measures involving citizens' personal and property rights will also be scrutinized, according to the plan.

The plan also underscored that staff within the procuratorate system should not interfere with cases or meet anyone affiliated with suspects under investigation, and the leaking of case details or the accepting of bribes will result in punishment.