Sources at the recent seventh meeting of the
Standing Committee of the 12th Beijing
Municipal People's Congress have brought news of a development in
the protection of minors in the capital. Draft amendments to the
Regulations of the Beijing Municipality on the Protection of Minors
call for the introduction of professional counseling in middle and
elementary schools. The new service would include access to
psychological counseling. In addition, the proposals include
measures to protect the interests of minors on the
Internet.
Rapid development
has brought new challenges in the protection of minors. "The extant
regulations have been in place since January 1, 1989. Despite
having been revised twice they are now out of step with the needs
of a changing society," said Wu Shenzhong, vice director of the
Internal and Judicial Affairs Committee of the Beijing Municipal
People's Congress.
The draft amendments
would introduce the three general principles of equality among
minors, respect for minors and maximum protection of the interests
of minors. The revisions are intended to promote a more humane and
considerate approach. Provision is made for local government to
step in and take responsibility for the care of minors faced with
such trauma in their young lives as the death or imprisonment of
their parents. Middle and elementary schools will invite qualified
professionals to provide psychological help to their students.
Access to the counseling will be on a part-time basis. Provision
will also be made to secure the right of access to education for
minors from migrant families.
The proposed measures also
address the need to protect the interests of minors and foster
their safe social development where the Internet is concerned. The
new draft provides for control of both Internet content and access
via Internet cafes.
Organizations and their
individual employees will be prohibited from broadcasting harmful
content to minors via the Internet. In addition they may not
collect, use or disseminate personal information about minors on
the Internet without the express permission of their
guardians.
Schools, libraries and
indeed families will be expected to take greater care to ensure
minors are not exposed to harmful information on the
Internet.
Internet cafes will need
to display clear signage prohibiting entry by minors and other
regulatory breaches. Identification papers will be required for
proof of age where this is in doubt.
Other measures will ensure
the enforcement of quality standards as prescribed by law in such
areas as foodstuffs, daily necessities, toys and games marketed to
minors. The revised draft also extends the remit to cover
organizations providing emergency aid to minors and addresses the
issue of providing support to aid child beggars.
It is a sad fact of life
that some parents and guardians fail to live up to their
responsibilities or act in a manner detrimental to the legal rights
of minors. This has led to provision aimed at ensuring that minors
can have effective legal aid where this should prove necessary. The
draft states that, "The law provides for legal aid to be made
available where guardians cause harm to minors or refuse to fulfill
their duty of care. Legal representatives with no direct interest
in a dispute can apply for legal aid on behalf of
minors."
(China.org.cn by
Zheng Guihong, October 27, 2003)