STAFF REPORTER

We are here at the China University of Political Science and Law to discuss human rights construction and reform, which is very important. The China University of Political Science and Law was the first higher learning institution in China to set up a human rights major and is also one of the nation’s education and training bases for human rights.In recent years, the university has achieved a lot in popularizing human rights education and serving society, pushing forward human rights research and development, and enhancing human rights exchange and cooperation. I congratulateyou on this.[page]

The whole country is now studying and implementing the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which requires the comprehensive deepening of reform, removal of defects in the system and its mechanisms, and modernization of the governance system and management capability. All of these matters are of great concern to the whole society. This symposium is being held at a good time. I believe the symposium will contribute to the deepening of comprehensive reform and the development of human rights.

The Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee was a very important meeting that was held at a pivotal stage for China as it comprehensively completes the construction of a well-off society. The plenary session endorsed the Decisions of the CPC Central Committee on Certain Key issues RegardingComprehensively Deepening the Reform (hereafter, “the Decisions”). The Decisions crystalized the thought and wisdom of the whole Party and the whole society about comprehensively deepening reform and made major breakthroughs in theory and policyabout the reform. The Decisionsare a general arrangement and mobilization for comprehensively deepening reform and create a fundamental and far-reaching impact on pushing forward the progress of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. The Decisionsmake promoting social justice and enhancing people’s livelihoodthe starting and ending points of comprehensively deepening reform and clarify the fundamental position of human rights in comprehensively deepening the reform. The Decisions reiterate that the state respects and ensures human rights. Protection of human rights has been integrated into the construction of economic, political, cultural, social and ecological civilization. The Decisionsput improving thejudicial system for protecting human rights as the core of human rights protection and make important explanations and arrangements about how to improve the judicial system for human rights protection, in a bid to make people feel justice and fairness in everyjudicial case.The Decisionshave great significance in guiding human rights research and other work related to human rights and require our earnest study and effective summing up. Proposing reform measures, deciding on plans, and improvingcontents require further consideration and hard work by scholars. All in all, the cause of human rights has a bright future.[page]

Today is the 65th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Human rights is a value system that is recognized throughout the world, a parameter describing the progress of human society, and a mark of human progress and civilization. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (hereafter, “Declaration”)is the earliest and most influential legal document in the international human rights field. It is also the most comprehensive and systematic document introducing the concept of human rights. The Declaration reflects the interdependent and inseparable character of various human rights, covers both the universality and particularity of human rights, combines theory and practice, and reflects the common view of the international community on human rights issues, which is the shared norm of all people and countries in the world. The Declaration, which is a soft law, was a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, instead of a legally binding treaty. Nevertheless, the core and articles of the declaration have been invoked in the constitutions of many countries and referenced in many international human rights treaties. The Declaration is the basis for the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The content and the implementation mechanisms of the Declaration need more thorough study.

For many years, China has implemented the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, abided by international human rights conventions and related regulations, improved human rights protection and made great achievements in human rights development. The people-oriented concept of governance has been further deepened, the socialist legal system for human rights protection has beenformed, the human rights cause has been promoted in an organized and sustained way, foreign interactionhas further expanded, and dialogue and cooperation have increased.[page]

I have three personal views on how to push forward the comprehensive deepening of reform and promote human rights development. The first is pragmatism. Human rights research and human rights protection should be based on the reality that China will long be in the primary stage of building socialism. Both emancipating minds and seeking truth from facts are required. Development isa key to addressing all issues in China. Human rights protection should be integrated with development and various human rights will be realized in the course of development. The second is diversification. Human rights protection should be promoted in all fields of human society, such as economic, political, cultural, social and ecological civilization. The third is the rule of law. Protection and realization of human rights fundamentally require institution and legalization. The rule of law should be insisted upon and the authority of the constitution and other laws should be respected. This will essentially benefit the progress of human rights.

1.This is a speech iven by President Luo Haocai of the China Society for Human Rights Studies at the Human Rights Construction and Reform Symposium at the China University of Political Science and Law on Dec. 10, 2013.