China announces first human rights action plan

[china]

[SIZE=+1]China announces first human rights action plan[/SIZE]
China National News
Monday 13th April, 2009
(IANS)

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Beijing, April 13 (Xinhua) China published Monday its first-ever action plan on human rights, pledging to further protect and improve the country's human rights conditions.

The National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2009-2010), issued by the State Council, or Cabinet, highlighted various human rights goals that would be implemented in less than two years.

'The realisation of human rights in the broadest sense has been a long-cherished ideal of mankind and also a long-pursued goal of the Chinese government and people,' said the 54-page document.

In the future, China plans to continue to 'raise the level of ensuring people's civil and political rights' through improving democracy and the rule of law, the document said.

In addition, the plan provides for extending rights to citizens to express complaints against injustices and arbitrary treatment by the authorities.

In the plan, the government of China said the country of 1.3 billion people 'has a long road ahead in its efforts to improve its human rights situation,' but that it would continue to 'raise the level of ensuring people's civil and political rights.'

China has been accused of serious human rights violations. According to the international human rights organisation, Reporters without Borders, China is a country with the greatest number of journalists, cyber-dissidents, internet users and activists detained for demanding freedom of expression.