According to Dong Yunhu, vice-chairman and secretary-general of
the China Society for
Human Rights Studies, China has been playing a more active role
in international human rights by promoting human rights dialogues
and communication with other countries.
In 2004 alone, China held human rights dialogues and
consultations with Australia, Canada, Britain, the European Union,
Norway, Germany, and Holland, strengthened communication in the
field with such developing countries as Eritrea, Sierra Leone,
Zimbabwe, Laos, and hosted a series of seminars and workshops on
human rights issues.
Dong also indicated that China made contributions to the human
rights cause within the framework of the United Nations (UN), as
China has been consecutively elected and appointed a member of the
UN Commission on Human Rights since 1981.
"All these efforts China has made to boost domestic and
international human rights have been widely acknowledged," Dong
said.
The white paper entitled "China's Progress in Human Rights in
2004" published by the Information Office of the State Council this
April sets out the effective projects jointly launched by China and
the UN in the field of human rights. A Memorandum of Understanding
on Cooperation was signed by China and the UN in 2000.
In 2004, China held a seminar focusing on a UN questionnaire
highlighting violence against children. A detailed answer to the
questionnaire was submitted to the UN, and the United Nations
Children's Fund (UNICEF) China office. In December 2004, after
careful study, China submitted its answer to another UN
questionnaire on child pornography on the Internet.
Lin Bocheng, vice-chairman of the China Foundation for Human
Rights Development said China has also written international legal
documents on human rights. In January and September 2003, the
Chinese government sent specialists to attend a drafting course on
"Legally Binding Normative Instruments for the Protection of All
Persons from Enforced Disappearances," and the "Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities." So far, China has attended 21
international conventions on human rights.
On December 10, 2003, Julian Hunte, chairman of the 59th Session
of the UN General Assembly, presented the United Nations Human
Rights Award to Deng Pufang, chairman of the China Federation of
the Disabled. "It was the first time such an award had been given
to a Chinese as well as the first time it had been presented to a
handicapped person," said Lin, adding: "It was also an appreciation
of the international community for years of effort made by China in
promoting and protecting human rights."
Since 1991, China has published eight white papers on human
rights, giving a dynamic view of the human rights cause in China
backed by facts and figures. "The white papers also powerfully
rebutted criticisms made by some Western countries," Dong
stressed.
With strengthened governmental exchange and cooperation in the
field of human rights, China's non-governmental organizations (NGO)
have also been able to carry out wide-ranging communications with
their foreign counterparts.
"A dialogue platform on human rights among governments, NGOs and
human rights organizations has been established. This will enable
the rest of the world learn more about China's achievements in this
field," Lin said.
China, Australia Cooperate on Human
Rights
In related news, China and Australia approved the Human Rights
Joint Technical Cooperation Program for 2005 to 2006 in Beijing on
Monday, part of the human rights dialogue between the two
countries. The two sides expressed their wish to cooperate in such
fields as poverty relief, teenagers' rights, democracy in
communities, and ethnic minority affairs.
Shen Guofang, China's Assistant Foreign Minister said that the
China-Australia human rights dialogue has moved into "an in-depth,
practical and dynamic track of development".
"The cooperation on the issue will not only help improve the
human rights protection work in the two countries, but also enrich
bilateral ties", Shen noted.
Shen's view was echoed by Geoff Raby, Australia's Deputy
Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, head of
the dialogue delegation. Raby said that Australia highly values
cooperation with China on international human rights protection,
and China has achieved remarkable progress in the cause.
(Xinhua News Agency June 28, 2005)