Experts: Uphold ethnic minorities’ rights

The world should respect the cultural and religious diversity of ethnic minorities while protecting their basic human rights, said experts at an international meeting on Wednesday in Chongqing.

More than 50 researchers from China and European countries gathered at the 2016 China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights, organized by the China Society for Human Rights Studies, to discuss protection of ethnic minorities’ rights.

They covered a wide range of issues, including the protection of their cultures, languages and living environment, as well as legal and economic rights.

Cui Yuying, vice-minister of the State Council Information Office, said that China has achieved new progress in human rights in recent years, especially in the protection of Chinese ethnic minorities’ rights and cultures.

“I hope the scholars from homeand abroad can enhance exchanges and communications on human rights protection, build trust and deepen cooperation through this platform,” she told the seminar.

Tom Zwart, director of the Netherlands School of Human Rights Research, said China has made big contributions to the international human rights cause but has failed to get credit for this.

“China should find an innovative way to tell the stories. Chinese scholars should increase their communication with other countries and share their views with the international community,” Zwart said.

Before the seminar, the experts visited an ethic minority autonomous county in Pengshui, Chongqing, which is home to the Miao and Tujia ethnic minorities.

They toured a local farm to learn about a poverty alleviation project for ethnic minorities and experienced Miao cultural activities at a tourism site, part of an effort to preserve tradition and promote the local economy.