China publicizes human rights action plan
BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) — The Chinese government publicized Monday its second national plan for human rights protection, promising to address challenges and work for happiness and dignity of every citizen.
The new plan, addressing human rights protection work from 2012 to 2015, follows the previous one covering the period of 2009 and 2010.
Due to the influences and limitations of natural, historical and cultural factors, as well as the current level of economic and social development, China still confronts many challenges in the development of its human rights cause and it has a long way to go before it attains the lofty goal of full enjoyment of human rights, the document says.
“It should be remembered that China remains a developing country that is fraught with problems from unbalanced, uncoordinated and un-sustainable development,” it says.
It will be a crucial period from 2012 to 2015 for the country to improve human rights while implementing the 12th five-year development plan, deepening reform and opening-up and accelerating the transformation of the country’s economic development pattern, it says.
In the next three years, the Chinese government will combine its human rights endeavors with economic, political, cultural, social and ecological construction, the document says.
To meet people’s need of living a better life, the country will “prioritize people’s rights to subsistence and development,” the document says, adding that it will safeguard and improve people’s livelihood and spare no efforts to solve the problems of the utmost and immediate concern to the people.
In addition, the country will practically safeguard the citizens’ economic, political, social and cultural rights and promote social equity and harmony, so as to ensure that every member of society live “a happier and more dignified life,” it says. <Xinhua>
Information Office of the State Council
The People’s Republic of China
Contents
Introduction
I. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
(1) Right to work
(2) Right to basic living standards
(3) Right to social security
(4) Right to health
(5) Right to education
(6) Cultural rights
(7) Environmental rights
II. Civil and Political Rights
(1) Rights of the person
(2) Rights of detainees
(3) Right to a fair trial
(4) Freedom of religious belief
(5) Right to be informed
(6) Right to participate
(7) Right to be heard
(8) Right to oversee
III. Rights of Ethnic Minorities, Women, Children, the Elderly and the Disabled
(1) Rights of ethnic minorities
(2) Women’s rights
(3) Children’s rights
(4) Senior citizens’ rights
(5) Rights and interests of the disabled
IV. Human Rights Education
V. Fulfillment of Obligations to International Human Rights Conventions, and Exchanges and Cooperation in the Field of International Human Rights
(1) Fulfillment of obligations to international human rights conventions
(2) Exchanges and cooperation in the field of international human rights
VI. Implementation and Supervision
Introduction
The formulation of the National Human Rights Action Plan is an important measure taken by the Chinese government to ensure the implementation of the constitutional principle of respecting and safeguarding human rights. It is of great significance to promoting scientific development and social harmony, and to achieving the great objective of building a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way.
Since the promulgation and enforcement of the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2009-2010) in 2009, the Chinese citizens’ awareness of human rights has been enhanced significantly; the protection of the citizen’s economic, social and cultural rights and interests has been comprehensively strengthened; their civil and political rights have been more effectively safeguarded; the rights of ethnic minorities, women, children, senior citizens and the disabled have been further protected; international exchanges and cooperation in the field of human rights have been increasingly deepened; and human rights protection in all aspects has been constantly advanced along the orbit of institutionalization and rule by law. The cause of human rights in China has entered a new stage of development. In addition, the formulation, implementation and completion on schedule of the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2009-2010) have been widely acclaimed by the Chinese public and highly regarded by the international community···(more).
For the full text of ‘National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2012-2015)’, CLICK HERE.
Kris Min kris@theasian.asia
The AsiaN Reporter 
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