National lawmakers are working to improve legislation on penalties relating to public security to better protect individuals' rights and check the power of police officers.

Members of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislative body, conducted a preliminary review of the draft law on Monday.

Penalties in the public security domain are currently governed by a regulation that was passed by the Standing Committee of the 6th NPC in 1986 and partially revised in 1994.

"With constant economic and social development and the emergence of new problems over the past 18 years, the regulation barely meets the requirements of public security management today," said Tian Qiyu, vice-minister of public security.

Tian said the draft law would add more punishable public order violations to reflect these changes.

Under the draft law, disturbing neighbors with unreasonable noise or by other means would be fined up to 500 yuan (US$60) if violators persist.

Pet owners will be warned if their animals disturb others and owners who encourage their animals to frighten and hurt others may be detained for up to ten days and fined up to 1,000 yuan (US$121).

The draft law also covers the crime of disturbing public order by using fake dangerous substances, such as claiming that innocuous white powder is deadly anthrax.

It will also crack down on acts of football hooliganism, including attacks on players or referees.

Offenders would also gain the right to sue public security authorities or ask for an administrative review if they disagree with police officers’ actions.

"The draft law was designed to be well connected with other laws such as the Criminal Code and the Law on Administrative Penalty for the consolidation of the legal system," Tian said. 

(China Daily October 26, 2004)