GAO Xinman

China

From an academic point of view, human dignity is the source of human rights, which has a profoundly academic history. Since the end of World War II, the issues of human rights have drawn great attention from international community, so the human right theories, whose basic consideration is human dignity, have developed constantly. In this era of advocating rights, human dignity and human rights protection are universal values and concepts, which were emphasized once again after the World War II. Moreover, human dignity was clearly identified as the basis of human rights at the system level. This paper begins by describing the relationship between human dignity and human rights. Then it describes the influences that UN peacekeeping operations have exerted on human dignity and human rights. Furthermore, this paper introduces and analyzes China's contributions on maintaining international human rights via the platform of UN peacekeeping operations.

I. Human Dignity and Human Rights

"Every human, regardless of their age, gender, race, color, physical or mental ability, language, religion, political opinion, and national or social background, has the inalienable and inviolable dignity."  Since the end of World War II, human beings have a new understanding of the relationship between human dignity and human rights. The concept of human dignity not only plays a leading role in discussions of human rights around the world, but also develops a closer link with the concept of human rights.

First of all, from the perspective of human dignity, human dignity is one of the basic human rights, and a core essence of basic human rights. It is equal and inalienable; it has both moral and legal significance. Human dignity is fragile and requires the protection from the state and international community. Article XXII of Universal Declaration of Human Rights states "Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality." In fact, dignity is interpreted as the basic human rights thoroughly possessed by everyone. Therefore, having the dignity means that people have human rights.