National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2012-2015)

BEIJING - The Information Office of the State Council, or China's cabinet, published the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2012-2015) Monday. Following is the full text:

National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2012-2015)

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.

In recent years, the Chinese government has appropriately addressed the heavy toll brought about by the international financial crisis and the severe challenges posed by major natural disasters, vigorously solved the problems in development, perseveringly advanced the cause of human rights by putting people first, and had its human rights conditions increasingly improved. The Chinese government has unswervingly combined safeguarding human rights with promoting scientific development and social harmony, kept improving its institutional arrangements for ensuring and improving its people's livelihood, vigorously boosted employment, speeded up the development of various social undertakings, promoted equal access to basic public services, gradually improved a social security system that covers both urban and rural areas, initially established a basic medical care and health service system benefiting both urban and rural residents, strived to develop cultural and educational undertakings, and effectively guaranteed the rights of all members of society to equal participation and development. The Chinese government has consistently combined protecting human rights with promoting democracy and the rule of law, actively and steadily pushed forward political reform, expanded citizens' orderly participation in political affairs, and carried out democratic election, decision-making, administration and supervision in accordance with the law to guarantee the people's rights to be informed, to participate, to be heard and to oversee. The Chinese government has integrated the principle of respecting and safeguarding human rights into its legislation, administration and law enforcement and strengthened supervision and restriction over the exercise of power. Consequently, a socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics has been established to provide legal support for all fields of social life and all aspects of human rights protection.