Marrakesh Treaty effective in China, offers 17m print- disabled people more access to culture
The Marrakesh Treaty, the first and only human rights treaty that is copyrighted, officially came into force in China on Thursday. Observers said it is a practical move that China adopted to expand the country’s human rights protection sphere for some 17 million print- disabled people, giving them equal access to culture and education.
The treaty allows authorized entities to produce print- disabled friendly formats of cultural works without authorization from copyright holders, either Braille books, audiobooks or films and TV shows. It will also facilitate China’s excellent print- disabled works to enter foreign markets.
Relevant authorities are stipulating detailed policies to implement the treaty, regarding the process of producing printdisabled works and how to supervise authorized entities, as well as cross- border exchanges in the field.
Previously, printing Braille books was the only legal format that could be adjusted to print format without copyright holders’ authorization. As audiobooks, large- character books, electronic texts, and barrier- free adaptations of films and TV shows require authorization from copyright owners. The production normally takes time and money.
Data showed there are 17.32 million people with visual disabilities in China, and the number of people with dyslexia may be even higher than this.
The treaty expands the scope of human rights protection in the process of social development and is an example of how China fulfills promises of protecting human rights to the international community, said
He Zhipeng, a professor of international law at the School of Law with Jilin University.
The Chinese government puts great emphasis on the protection of disabled people’s rights and interests, and it has enhanced the construction of a barrier- free environment to make it more convenient for people with disabilities to live, study and work, said Guo Liqun of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation.