"No one can force the disabled into labor using violence, threats or depriving them of their personal freedom," the latest revision said.

The draft, a revision of a 1991 law, was drawn up to "tackle new circumstances and problems" cropping up amid economic and social advances, Civil Affairs Minister Li Xueju said.

The amendment was approved by the State Council, China's Cabinet, in January, and underwent its first discussion in February at the 32nd session of the 10th NPC Standing Committee.

The draft made clearer the legal consequences for violating the rights and interests of the disabled. It stated disabled people were entitled to report such cases to relevant government departments and ask them to provide legal aides.

Those who did not respond to the disabled's appeals promptly or tried to suppress their demands and postpone the settlement would be punished in accordance with the law and regulations, the draft said.

It stipulated that those who denigrate the disabled, in general, through mass media or other methods, should be corrected by government departments in charge of culture, radio, film, TV and press, and punished in accordance with the administrative regulations.

The draft further clarified the rights of the disabled to play a role in state affairs and social life, stipulating their voice must be heard when laws, regulations and policies concerning them are made.

It also stressed the need to build and improve physical facilities that would make it easier for the disabled.

As China promised to allow guide dogs to enter public places during the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games, the draft amendment agreed to lift such bans. It said relevant regulations should be observed when guide dogs are used in aid of the disabled entering public venues. According to the China Disabled Persons' Federation, the country has about 83 million disabled, accounting for 6.34 percent of the population. More than 75 percent of the disabled live in rural areas. The per capita income in households with disabled members is less than half the national average, while the illiteracy rate is about seven times the national average of 6.27 percent.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2008)