China abolishes reeducation through labor

BEIJING -The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) adopted a resolution to abolish legal documents on reeducation through labor, commonly known as  "laojiao" , through a vote at its bi-monthly session Saturday.

The NPC resolution stresses that all legally-made  "laojiao"  penalties before the abolition of the system were valid.

After the abolition of the  "laojiao" , those who are serving the "laojiao" penalties will be set free. Their remaining terms will not be enforced any more.

"The NPC resolution will go into effect upon the date of promulgation", it said.