BEIJING - The draft amendment to China's Criminal Procedure Law was submitted to the ongoing national legislative session Thursday for third reading, incorporating the principle of respecting and safeguarding human rights.

Wang Zhaoguo, vice-chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, speaks during a plenary meeting during the annual session of the 11th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Mar 8, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

When explaining the necessity to amend the law to a plenary meeting during the annual session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC), Wang Zhaoguo, vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee said that amending the law is to strengthen punishment of crimes and protection of the people.

It is also necessary to revise the law to strengthen and make innovations in social administration and maintain social harmony and stability, and deepen judicial system reform, Wang added.

The draft amendment to Criminal Procedure Law was submitted to the NPC Standing Committee for first reading in August 2011 and for second reading in December 2011.

China's current Criminal Procedure Law was enacted in 1979 and amended in 1996.

Adding the article of protecting human rights to the Criminal Procedure Law will help judicial organs observe and implement this constitutional principle in criminal proceedings, Wang said.