Prosecutors take tougher stance on crime involving minors

Chinese prosecutors are taking a tougher stance against crimes targeting minors and juvenile delinquency, which have seen steady increases in recent years, according to a white paper issued by the Supreme People's Procuratorate.

In the white paper, issued on Saturday, the top procuratorate said there was a 5.4 percent annual increase in prosecutions for crimes against minors from 2020 to 2023, with authorities initiating legal action against more than 243,000 individuals.

Deputy Procurator-General Gong Ming emphasized a balanced approach, combining punishment with education for serious offenders.

Over 27,000 minors were arrested, while public prosecutions were launched against 39,000. However, authorities prioritized rehabilitation for less serious offenses, with 38,000 minors avoiding arrest and charges dropped against 40,000 others.

Prosecutors are also actively utilizing conditional non-prosecution, a measure offering a second chance to first-time offenders. This approach has been applied in 37.4 percent of cases, with over 31,000 individuals benefiting from conditional non-prosecution.

The Supreme People's Procuratorate is developing a graded intervention system that tailors rehabilitation efforts based on the severity of the offense, and the minor's mental state and behavior.

"Regardless of the ways adopted in such cases, procuratorates have fully ensured the minors' rights and used means such as psychological intervention and education to provide them targeted assistance, maximizing education and rehabilitation efforts," Gong said.

The Supreme People's Procuratorate also acknowledged the increasing threat to minors posed by online dangers. With internet penetration among Chinese minors exceeding 97 percent, it has collaborated with other authorities to establish a robust legal framework for online protection.

Xian Jie, head of the top procuratorate's office for minors' affairs, highlighted the vulnerability of minors to online violence, obscenity and addiction, potentially leading them down a path of criminal activity. Additionally, some internet companies that prioritize profit over social responsibility further endanger minors and information security.

The story of a man surnamed Kang exemplifies the complexities of online threats. Kang recruited over 40 students, including minors, to register SIM cards under false pretenses. The cards were then sold and used for illegal activities such as telecom fraud.

Kang was arrested in February last year, and in August he was sentenced by a local court for infringing on citizens' personal information.

Local procuratorates and other departments were told to conduct joint supervision and management of problems where students are suspected of telecommunication network crimes and of the widespread absence or improper family education of minors involved in such cases.