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China needs action rather than words

Catholics hope Beijing delivers with its latest human rights plan
China needs action rather than words
Hong Kong protesters demand an explanation from Beijing over the mysterious death of political dissident Li Wangyang
Published: June 22, 2012 10:05 AM GMT
Updated: June 22, 2012 11:10 AM GMT

China’s communist rulers published their second action plan on human rights last week, but it is not raising many expectations in light of repeated abuses across the country. Patrick Poon, a member of Hong Kong diocese’s Justice and Peace Commission, noted that the plan touches very lightly on freedom of speech, as he believes Beijing will not ease its censorship on the mass media and allow its people to express their political views. This is merely a “vanity project” and “window dressing” in response to criticism from the international community, he said. The China Daily reported on Wednesday that the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2012-15) outlines Beijing’s goals, missions and measures in order to respect and guarantee human rights and to enable every citizen to live with dignity. Under the plan, all rights -- economic, social, cultural, civil and political – will be guaranteed by law, and that human rights education will be provided. Notably, the plan aims to introduce measures to prevent the use of torture in acquiring confessions and gathering evidence through illegal means. “China signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1998, but the National People’s Congress [parliament] has still not ratified it. Its sincerity in publishing this new action plan is questionable,” said Poon. In fact, if China could abide by the rule of law, it could safeguard human rights without the need of an action plan, he said. “I cannot see how the government is going to carry out the plan,” the Catholic layman said, citing numerous cases of illegal demolitions and the “forced disappearances” of dissidents and their families. Father John Baptist, from eastern China, said the government has a lot of well-established theories on protecting human rights, but it should focus on how to put them into practice. He lamented that rights are not high on Beijing’s list of priorities. “The Shenzhou-9 spacecraft docks with Tiangong-1 space lab; the Jiaolong deep-sea submersible attempts to dive 7,000 meters below sea level,” said the priest, adding that prestige and progress are not measured on economic, scientific, technological and military advancements alone. “China needs to be great in the sense that it allows its people to live with their rights protected.” To achieve this, the Communist Party should not only fear God but also sacrifice its own interests to provide for the people’s welfare. “Otherwise, social instability will always be a hidden danger in the country. A regime which implements excessive human rights abuses will pay the price sooner or later,” Fr John Baptist said. Jiezi, a Catholic webmaster, noted that the wave of social unrest across the country is a “power struggle” between the ruling party and the people. “If there is no change in the political system, the quest for human rights and religious freedom will never progress, as there are huge interest groups behind every state leader.” Thanks to the internet, the consciousness of many people is being awakened and so they are struggling for greater freedom of expression, she said. “There may be twists and turns in the process, but I hope to see human rights properly implemented and protected one day,” said Jiezi. Father Andrew in northern China noticed that the action plan’s sub-section on freedom of religious belief does not mention anything about Christianity. “The Catholic Church in China is still subject to political interference, particularly on the issue of bishop appointments. In this regard our faith is not respected, our conscience is persecuted and our freedom is abused. It seems this atheistic government is sparing no effort to change the nature of a religion.” Related reports New law leaves Catholics vulnerable Human rights hit new low this year: report

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