The criminal justice system is controlled by the party and the government. There are few legal restraints on the often arbitrary actions, including arrests, by the government, and dissent is handled by suppressing basic civil rights. Although the constitution provides for the freedoms of worship, speech, and press, as of the mid-1990s, citizens did not feel free to exercise these rights fully. There are no legal safeguards, and arrests are common...
More
The criminal justice system is controlled by the party and the government. There are few legal restraints on the often arbitrary actions, including arrests, by the government, and dissent is handled by suppressing basic civil rights. Although the constitution provides for the freedoms of worship, speech, and press, as of the mid-1990s, citizens did not feel free to exercise these rights fully. There are no legal safeguards, and arrests are commonly performed on vague charges. Although a penal code and a constitution guaranteeing certain civil liberties have been promulgated, implementation is another matter, particularly where freedom of political expression is concerned. Also, the media is state-controlled.
Nonetheless, there is a system for prosecuting criminal behavior. Common crimes are evaluated at the local village level. More serious cases, especially politically sensitive ones, are referred to higher authorities. Tribunals operate at district and provincial levels with judges...
Less