Chinese lawmakers to end reeducation through labor

BEIJING -- Chinese lawmakers agreed to abolish the reeducation through labor during discussion on a motion Tuesday.

Members of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) held panel discussions on the motion to end reeducation through-labor (laojiao). Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, joined one of the panels.

The motion by the State Council, China's cabinet, to the NPC committee's bi-monthly session, annuls a regulation from 1957 and a supplement approved in 1979.

Lawmakers agreed that the time is ripe to end laojiao and suggested that the motion be put to a vote.

Lawmakers acknowledged the important role laojiao had played in safeguarding public security, maintaining social stability and correcting offenders. However, they agreed that the program has gradually become obsolete as it has been superseded by other correction schemes, new laws and amendments.

Additionally, lawmakers were content that the State Council has made practical and comprehensive arrangements for followup measures after the system is removed.