China true contributor to human rights
As one of the most important members of the international community, China has made significant contributions to the cause of human rights both at home and abroad.
With a population of 1.4 billion, China is a thriving economy and a manufacturing powerhouse with global presence and, therefore, it cannot de-hyphenate from human rights protection at the national and global levels.
The country is part of 26 international human rights protocols, including six UN human rights treaties, and has actively participated in global human rights governance.
China has adopted a constitutional and just approach to human rights to ensure that people’s civil liberties and independence are not curtailed. China’s human rights doctrine is developmental in nature, and focuses on education, health, employment and the environment.
That China has lifted about 800 million people out of absolute poverty in the past four decades is a testament to the success of its holistic approach to human rights protection.
Since the founding of the People’s Republic, the country has been cognizant of the need for human rights development, because the Communist Party of China was founded on the very aim of stopping the human rights abuses by the ruling elites and exploitation of China by the imperial powers.
Also, the CPC has published many documents on human rights protection and development in the country, and the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) takes China’s human rights mission forward.
Besides, the “Human Rights Action Plan (2021-25)”, which China released on Sept 9, 2021, shows the government is committed to developing a political system to protect human rights not only in the country but also globally by opposing wars and injustice, and helping other countries overcome poverty.
The human rights action plan prioritizes basic human rights such as the rights to education, health and employment, and says China will protect the people’s economic, social and cultural rights to meet their expectation for a better life.
China will also make efforts to safeguard people’s civil and political rights, and help them take an effective part in social affairs.
The plan affirms that China will reinforce equal protection of the rights and interests of particular groups and provide them with extra assistance to ensure everyone can share the fruits of development.
The plan also highlights the importance of safeguarding environmental rights. Accordingly, it says, China will cherish clear waters and green mountains as invaluable assets, continue to respect, work with and protect Mother Nature, and promote the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature.
China released the new human rights action plan after making remarkable achievements on the economic and social fronts, and taking all necessary measures to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Addressing the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council last year, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the UN, according to China’s concept of human rights, should consider economic development as a global human right.
In fact, in line with its human rights policy, China helps other countries in efforts to boost their economic development to alleviate poverty and illiteracy.
China has helped establish the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, BRICS New Development Bank and the Silk Road Fund to fund infrastructure, communication and industrial projects in developing countries, because it believes that only with economic development can we better protect human rights.