National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2009-2010)

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The Chinese government released its first Human Rights Action plan “in response to the United Nations' call for establishing a national human rights action plan.” The plan is intended to “define[] the Chinese government's goals in promoting and protecting human rights, and the specific measures it is taking to this end.” According to the text of the plan, three fundamental principles are included in this initiative:

First, in pursuit of the basic principles prescribed in the Constitution of China, and the essentials of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the plan is aimed at improving laws and regulations upholding human rights and advancing the cause of China's human rights in accordance with the law;

[S]econd, adhering to the principle that all kinds of human rights are interdependent and inseparable, the plan encourages the coordinated development of economic, social and cultural rights as well as civil and political rights, and the balanced development of individual and collective rights;

[T]hird, in the light of practicality and China's reality, the plan ensures the feasibility of the proposed goals and measures, and scientifically promotes the development of the cause of human rights in China.

The 2-year plan also enumerates five areas on which the government will focus:

(1) Guarantee of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

(2) Guarantee of Civil and Political Rights

(3) Guarantee of the Rights and Interests of Ethnic Minorities, Women, Children, Elderly People and the Disabled

(4) Education in Human Rights

(5) Performing International Human Rights Duties, and Conducting Exchanges and Cooperation in the Field of International Human Rights