Different cultures show same respect for human dignity
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China.org.cn, September 23, 2011
Here is another example: Mencius' thoughts raised and defined the concept of "righteousness" and expounded "discrimination of righteousness and benefit", pointing out that human dignity has absolute value and cannot be replaced by other equivalents. These thoughts include theoretical presupposition of human dignity in modern human rights concept.
Here is one more example: traditional Chinese culture has always stressed the coordination between one man and another and between man and society, advocated self-restraint and self-control and the philosophy "don't do unto others what you don't want others do unto you". It also emphasized collective awareness and social responsibility. It is the historical explanation and cultural roots why currently we stress the unity of rights and obligation in human rights protection and why we place great importance on collective human rights.
We have many other similar examples, In fact, traditional Chinese culture has countless modern human rights ideas that provide new perspectives and arguments for the human rights concept that was first developed in the West. These ideas enrich the human rights connotation and become an important element of the multicultural soil of the human rights concept.
Diversity of cultures and civilizations is an objective reality, which evolved from the social development over hundreds of years, constituting the primary character of the present world and is an important impetus to drive human beings forward. The historical development of human beings is a process of constant exchanges, integration between various civilizations. All kinds of civilizations have made their spectacular contributions to the advancement of humankind and collectively decorated the colorful garden of world culture, just as the old saying goes: "A single flower doesn't make a spring."
The coexistence and integration of various cultures have created a sound environment for further development of the human rights cause. We should actively protect the diversity of the world and promote the dialogue and integration between different civilizations, cultivate the fertile soil of human rights protection, make the world more colorful and human beings happier and their coexistence more harmonious.
3. To respect different value systems and expand the reach of human rights protection.
Value is people's reflection toward social existence, which determines people's attitude towards issues and reflects the relationship between people and conflicts of interests. In modern society, there are different values, which are determined by the level of social development and its various stages. The many value systems are comprehensive reflections of history, culture and geography. There are no superior or inferior values; people just choose their values according to their own perspectives.
A diverse culture offers a variety of choices in terms of value systems, and the objective reality is that this leads to differences of opinion on the subject of human rights and the ways they are achieved. Such differences may cause misunderstandings and sometimes even conflicts. This has happened quite often in history.
Facing diverse value systems and outlooks of human rights, we believe that those improper self-centered stance and attitude should be discarded and that we should hold high the flag of consultation and reason, trying to build a consultation mechanism on the basis of quality and mutual respect.
A rational and mature consultation mechanism should include the following three aspects: equality between different parties, openness of the topics and interactivity of the process. Equality between different parties is a precondition for democratic consultation. Openness of topics decides extensiveness of consultations. Interactivity of the process can ensure the effectiveness of the consultation results. In this regard, Chinese traditional culture, especially the Confucian humanism of unity and harmony, can provide support of rich ideas for the implementation of the consultation mechanism.
We believe that the forming of a nation's culture and values is the growing process of a nation. Culture and values embody a nation's cognition of the world and life and include a nation's in-depth spiritual pursuits and basic code of conduct. Respect for diversity of culture and values is itself a guarantee of human rights. Respecting the many values, setting up and improving the negotiation mechanism and forming and sticking to a scientific development model for human rights protection will surely largely widen the room for developing the protection of human rights.
The commonality of culture and the outlook of human rights between different countries form the basis for dialogue. The differences make the dialogue and exchanges necessary and more colorful.
I hope all parties should stimulate each other and complement each other through this forum. We shall hold an all round discussion of the human rights problems that include concepts, systems, theories, practices, history and reality so as to expand the existing consensus, increase understanding and continuously make new contributions to the realization of human rights for all human beings.
Finally, I wish all guests and deputies good health, pleasant experiences working here and I wish the forum a complete success.
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