OVERVIEW
Established in March 1993, the China Society for Human Rights Studies (CSHRS) has become China’s largest non-governmental organization devoted to promoting human rights. With a special consultative status granted by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), CSHRS is a member of the United Nations Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CONGO). Furthermore, it has been listed in the World Directory of Human Rights Research and Training Institutions by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Purpose and Mission
Inspired by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s important discourse on respecting and safeguarding human rights, CSHRS is committed to advancing contemporary Chinese perspectives on human rights. Its mission encompasses fostering the innovative development of China’s human rights theory and discourse systems, encouraging a broad understanding of human rights principles, and unswervingly following China’s path of human rights development. Additionally, CSHRS actively participates in international exchange and collaboration on human rights issues and global human rights affairs. These efforts are pointed towards fairer, more equitable, reasonable and inclusive global human rights governance.
Governing Structure and Leadership
The highest governing body of CSHRS is its general assembly, which convenes every five years. Currently, Baimachilin serves as the CSHRS president, with Jiang Jianguo as executive vice president. CSHRS also appoints several vice presidents including Ma Huaide, Fu Zitang, Shen Yongxiang and Lu Guangjin. Tang Xianwen holds the position of secretary-general.
Work Priorities
Driven by President Xi Jinping’s emphasis on respecting and promoting human rights, CSHRS strives to strengthen the theoretical foundation of Chinese human rights research and enhance the global influence of contemporary Chinese human rights perspectives. This endeavor consists of four primary components:
-Theoretical and Discourse Innovation
CSHRS publishes annual human rights research guidelines and conducts pivotal research projects on Marxist theories to investigate global, strategic and forward-looking human rights issues. Its research has produced valuable theoretical and practical insights.
-Specialized Seminars
CSHRS organizes seminars on various human rights subjects such as the rule of law and progress of China’s human rights endeavors, building a global community of shared future and improving global human rights governance, Chinese human rights discourse in the new era, China’s human rights protection in the context of reform and opening up, China’s human rights progress since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, and China’s progress since the release of the White Paper on Human Rights in China in 1991. These seminars aim to deepen understanding and interpretation of human rights theories.
- Human Rights Publications
To expand its academic influence, CSHRS has edited and published 13 consecutive volumes of Annual Report on China’s Human Rights. The society has also published a series of books highlighting China’s achievements in human rights theory and practice such as Building a Global Community of Shared Future and Global Human Rights Governance, Human Rights: China’s Road, and On the Rule of Law and Human Rights.
-Participation in the Formulation of Human Rights Documents
CSHRS recruits top experts to author human rights white papers such as New Progress in the Legal Protection of Human Rights in China and Seeking Happiness for People: 70 Years of Progress on Human Rights in China. The society also provides advice and recommendations to the government on developing major human rights documents such as the National Human Rights Action Plan of China and the Assessment on the Implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2016-2020), which was published in collaboration with the Human Rights Institute of the Southwest University of Political Science & Law. Moreover, through media briefings, reading clubs, salons, interviews and articles, CSHRS engages top experts to share opinions and enhance the public’s understanding of government documents.
International Collaboration and Exchange
CSHRS has been steadfast in its dedication to cultivating international exchange and collaboration in the realm of human rights. Since its founding, CSHRS has spearheaded numerous initiatives such as the Beijing Forum on Human Rights, which has convened ten sessions since its launch in 2008. Likewise, the China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights, initiated in 2015, has been held eight times. In 2018, CSHRS hosted the Symposium on the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was acknowledged with a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping. CSHRS has also organized the International Seminar on Counterterrorism, De-radicalization and Human Rights Protection, and the International Seminar on the Communist Party of China and the Progress on Human Rights in China. These platforms continue to expand their reach, serving as critical vehicles for international exchange and cooperation on human rights issues.
CSHRS has coordinated Chinese delegations to participate in exchange visits in 30 countries and regions in North America, Europe and Africa, as well as with various international organizations. Utilizing meetings, symposiums, speeches, media interviews and other methods, these experts disseminate information on China’s human rights accomplishments and perspectives while forging robust connections with foreign governments, parliaments, think tanks, universities and media outlets.
CSHRS has also welcomed visits from human rights officials and experts representing entities such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and the European Parliament. These interactions have led to the establishment of fruitful relationships with numerous international human rights organizations and relevant institutions from various countries.
Moreover, CSHRS actively engages in United Nations human rights affairs by organizing Chinese experts to attend the United Nations Human Rights Council’s sessions and institutional activities. Through conference presentations, thematic side meetings, photo exhibitions, and multilateral and bilateral meetings, CSHRS endeavors to advocate and communicate China’s human rights principles and ethnic and religious policies from diverse perspectives and dimensions.
Civic Engagement
CSHRS is dedicated to fostering comprehensive understanding and robust education of human rights principles. In pursuit of this goal, CSHRS provides guidance to 14 national human rights education and training facilities alongside many other research institutions. Emphasis has been on advancing human rights theory, education and training, policy consultation, collaboration, talent development, and information technology infrastructure.
CSHRS plays a vital role in implementing the national human rights strategy and fostering growth of high-level human rights think tanks. The society has created and disseminated accessible educational resources such as 100 Q&As on Human Rights Knowledge and A Reading Guide on Human Rights Knowledge for Officials. Additionally, CSHRS organizes a wide array of human rights seminars and workshops to deliver crucial training for officials at all levels including government officials, judicial officers, media personnel, and members of the broader society. CSHRS aims to leverage these initiatives to nurture a social culture that respects and protects human rights. Furthermore, CSHRS actively supports the appointment of Chinese human rights experts and scholars in the United Nations human rights organizations.
Media Outreach
In 1998, CSHRS launched the China Human Rights Net (http://en.humanrights.cn/) to foster a comprehensive understanding of human rights issues. In 2002, CSHRS introduced Human Rights, the first scholarly journal on human rights in China, published bimonthly in both Chinese and English. In 2021, this journal was acknowledged as a source of the Chinese Social Sciences Citation Index (CSSCI). That same year, CSHRS launched its official WeChat public account, “Ren Zhi Yan,” meaning “words of benevolence,” to further raise human rights awareness.
Financial Support
CSHRS receives financial backing from the China Foundation for Human Rights Development as well as through contributions from various organizations and social assistance programs.
External Recognition
In 2021, CSHRS was honored as a national advanced social organization, a testament to its unwavering dedication to promoting and safeguarding human rights in China.
