Advancing Rule of Law in Human Rights Protection While Developing a “Socialist Rule of Law System with Chinese Characteristics”

It is very timely and necessary for us to hold this seminar in the beautiful Suzhou Campus of Renmin University of China to deeply study and implement the decisions of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China(CPC)Central Committee,push forward the construction of China’s rule of law and jointly discuss the development of China’s human rights cause.

The Connotations of the Constitutional Clause on Human Rights Protection From the Perspective of Foreign-related Rule of Law

The inclusion of the human rights clause in the Chi-nese Constitution is the core normative manifestation of the constitu-tionalization of human rights,and points to the relationship between international law and the Constitution in the sense of positive law.The inclusion of the human rights clauses in the Chinese Constitution itself is an inherent part of the development of China’s socialist constitution,and socialism has already contributed valuable concepts and practices of human rights protection to the modern world in its early stage.The constitutionalization of human rights protection does not necessarily lead to the superiority of international law over the constitutional order of a country,but rather to the convergence of international law and domestic law through the constitutional order.The relevant rules of international law will be effective only when they are transformed into domestic law through the Constitution and the human rights clause in the Constitution.Correspondingly,the domestic legal order is brought into line with the international legal order through the Con-stitution and its human rights clause.Behind the system of fundamen-tal rights in the constitutional order is the value foundation of the en-tire legal system.The advancement of foreign-related rule of law has brought new opportunities for China’s judicial practice to further pro-mote the protection of human rights.In the future,we should further integrate the human rights values embedded in socialism into China’s constitutional practice,enhance human rights protection around the country,and take a more active part in global human rights gover-nance.

The Current Situation,Problems,and Improvement Path of Rule of Law Education in Primary and Secondary Schools in Chaoshan Area

Rule of law education in primary and secondary schools is an educational process to popularize legal knowledge,establish legal awareness,and cultivate the ability to respect,abide by,and use the law for the special group of primary and secondary school students.The research found that rule of law education in primary and secondary schools in Chaoshan has yielded positive outcomes.However,there exist problems such as uneven synergy,incomplete inclusion of teachers and students,shortage of adequately trained professional teachers,and the need for enhanced organizational support.The relevance and effectiveness of rule of law education in primary and secondary schools will be enhanced by clarifying the target tasks,enhancing the effectiveness of the classroom,creating an atmosphere of the rule of law,and strengthening organizational support.

A Probe into the Issue of Socialist Rule of Law and the Reform of Legal System

The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Hu Jintao as the general secretary puts forward the new concept of socialist rule of law, which is the great ideological and theoretical achievement of China’s reform and opening up and socialist construction. From the concrete connotation, this article analyzes the formation of the socialist rule of law. The unique social and historical conditions, the progress of social civilization, the increasing public awareness of the rule of law, the pursuit and sublimation of the rule of law experience of the ruling party contributed to the establishment and development of the socialist concept of rule of law. At the same time, it is suggested that the rule of law should be popularized in the whole society, and the socialist rule of law can be transformed into the conscious action of the ruling party, state organs, social organizations and all citizens, so that the concept of socialist rule of law will truly attract and benefit the masses. The great practice of the people.

The Socialist Rule of Law with Chinese Characteristics and Human Rights Protection

Law is the fundamental method of governance and the rule of law symbolizes modern civilization. The socialist rule of law is the rule of law rooted in the Chinese tradition, and designed and led by the Communist Party of China(CPC). It is not only a tool for government, but also a driver of social progress. Meanwhile, the Chinese human rights system is also designed by the CPC. Both concepts—the socialist rule of law and the human rights system——are different from the West in terms of theory, path and systems. Human rights are the fundamental values of and the ultimate goal pursued by the rule of law; and the rule of law is the recognition of and guarantee for human rights. Efforts must be made to advance legislative, administrative and judicial protection of human rights.

Advancing the Rule of Law

The Fourth Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China （CPC）, held in Beijing from October 20 to 23, set the blueprint for rule of law in the world＇s second-largest economy. Chang Jiwena professor with the Institute of Law at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, believes the meeting has taken the rule of law to a higher level. Excerpts of his arguments follow：

Revisiting the Spirit of the UDHR and Discussing Human Rights Development——Summary of Views from the Seminar Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

On December 4,2023,the China Society for Human Rights Studies hosted a seminar in Beijing commemorating the 75^(th) Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Participants discussed topics such as the significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,China’s theories and practices in respecting and safeguarding human rights,the three global initiatives and global human rights governance,human rights protection in the digital age,and telling Chinese stories of human rights in the new era.The discussions led to a broad consensus and achieved positive results.

Democracy on the Road toward the Rule of Law Started from Umbrella Movement

This paper had started its words from the hot current Umbrella Movement in Hongkong, with putting forward the questions that ＂ What is the democracy？ ＂ and ＂ How should the democracy develop？ ＂ . And then, it had reviewed the historical development of the concept of democracy, on that basis, it had explored the socialist democratic system in China and analyzed the dilemmas in the construction of socialist democracy. And it gave the responses to questions in the beginning of the article and explained the reasons in details. At the last, some notes on the construction of democracy in China＇ s journey toward rule of law were written in this article.

Research on the Scientific Meaning of Rule of Law in China

Beyond the existing academic viewpoints, clarifying the scientific meaning of the rule of law in China in the binary interaction between subject and object is the prerequisite for reifying the rule of law in China from an abstract symbol to a logic in action. The subject dimension of rule of law in China subsumes the legal consciousness, self confidence, independence and self-improvement of the subject. The object dimension of the rule of law in China focuses the relation mode and governance pattern between right and power. In the dimension of time, the rule of law in China is the unification of history and reality of China model. In the dimension of space, the rule of law in China is committed to seeking the right to speech, governance, management and development from the perspective of globalization.

The significance of the right to resistance in the construction of the rule of law

The establishment of the right to resistance in the constitutions in western countries has its constitutional background and the original intention of granting the right to the citizens to restore the constitutional order so as to prevent the tyranny. It is itself an integral part of the order of the rule of law. However, the establishment of this right itself is not guaranteed by the relevant legal systems. Even in the countries ruled by laws that stipulate the right to resistance of the citizens, the system is a quite threatening ＂double-edged sword＂ to the order of the rule of law. If it cannot be well regulated, it will even destroy the rule of law. There^bre, the right to resistance of the citizens has its positive significance to the construction of the rule of law, but its negative significance is inevitable. Especially in the environment of today＇s China, we should be more cautious to fit the right to resistance into our constitution.

Combining the Rule of Law with the Rule of Morality——General Secretary Xi Jinping's Important Discourse on the Relationship Between the Rule of Law and Rule by Virtue

Key points:Throughout the ages,rule of law has been an indispensable means of governing a state.However,as General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out,it is not enough to govern a state by the rule of law

Women’s Councils:A Practical Exploration on the Construction of Democracy, Autonomy and the Rule of Law at the Grassroots Level

The women’s councils are an innovation advocated by the All-China women’s federation for women’s participation in social management and grassroots democracy.They are a beneficial exploration for women to participate in public affairs according to the law in accordance with Article 2 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China,and are a model of"the combination of autonomy,rule of law and rule of virtue."The women’s councils have aroused the enthusiasm of women to participate in public affairs,stimulated their autonomous vitality and creativity,and helped to solve the problems of women’s lack of representation and voice in decision-making.The process of deliberation is also the process of developing the awareness of rights,rules,consultation ability,the concept of the rule of law and even thinking about the rule of law.The women’s councils not only help to protect the rights and interests of women and children and promote women’s development,but also has unique value in enriching grassroots consultative democracy,developing grassroots mass autonomy,building a society ruled by law and promoting the implementation of the Constitution.we should therefore fully affirm,support and perfect the women’s councils so as to make it long-term,standardized and institutionalized.

Forty Years' Construction of Rule of Law and the Legalization of Human Rights Protection in China

A market economy requires the individual rights of citizens be protected, and that the exercising of those rights be regulated, whose realization depends on the legalization of human rights protection On the one hand, individual rights must be protected by law On the other hand, a law-based society needs to be built so the boundaries of individual rights are clear, the exercising of those rights are regulated, conflicts between rights can be resolved through the courts, and the personal infringement of others’ rights and the overall interests of the society is prohibited by law During the 40 years of China’s ref orm and opening-up in China, the promotion of the legal protection of human rights mainly lies in three aspects: first, the important role of the rule of law plays in protecting human rights has been clarified; second, the four steps of the rule of law(scientific legislation, strict law enforcement, judicial justice and observance of the law by all Chinese citizens) have been strengthened to safeguard human rights fully and effectively; third, the Chinese human rights system under the rule of law has gradually been aligned with international norms.

A Summary of Views from the Symposium on “Comprehensively Advancing Rule of Law and China's Human Rights New Development”

The symposium on "Comprehensively Advancing Rule of Law and China's Human Rights New Development" was successfully held on April 11,2017 at Southwest University of Political Science and Law The symposium was organized by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and hosted by the Institute of Human Rights at Southwest University of Political Science and Law Representatives from the Commission of Legislative Affairs of the NPC Standing Committee,the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council,the Ministry of Public Security,the Ministry of Justice,the Supreme People's Court,the Supreme People's Procuratorate and other relevant departments,and experts and scholars from human rights research institutes and colleges and universities conducted in-depth discussions and exchanged views on topics such as the "general theory of rule of law and human rights","scientific legislation and the progress of China's human rights cause","administration by law and the progress of China's human rights cause","judicial justice and the progress of China's human rights cause","concept of rule of law and the progress of China's human rights cause" among other issues

Poverty Control of People with Mental Disorders in China: Based on the Perspective of Rule of Law

People with mental disorders are a special group that are at high risk of living in poverty China’s legal system concerning mental health is far from adequate in both theoretical and practical aspects,such as legislative concepts,institutional structure,legal norms,and targeted poverty reduction through health care The improvement of China’s legal system concerning mental health needs to focus on protecting the rights and interests of people with mental disorders and take the following measures,including the precise poverty control for people with mental disorders,addressing comprehensive empowerment,and strengthening the subjective status of people with mental disorders,promoting the"community based"model of mental health governance based on social return,improving the financing mechanism and making use of the advantages of local governance.

Comprehensive Preservation of Human Rights in the Context of “Comprehensively Advancing the Rule of Law”

The Decision made at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 18 th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China(CPC) on comprehensively advancing the rule of law is an ambitious plan for ensuring human rights through the rule of law. The Decision has fully embodied the constitutional spirit of 'respecting and preserving human rights,' and reflects the strategies and plans of the CPC to comprehensively preserve human rights in the course of 'comprehensively advancing the rule of law'. In the process of comprehensively preserving human rights, the leadership of the CPC has to be upheld. The relationship between the CPC and the rule of law is the core issue in lawbased governance and also the core issue in comprehensively preserving human rights.

Comprehensively Implementing the Rule of Law Solidly Pushing Forward Human Rights Development——Interview with President Luo Haocai of the China Society for Human Rights Studies(CSHRS)

The Fourth Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China （CPC） reviewed and approved the Decision of the CPC Central Committee on Certain Key Issues Concerning Comprehensively Pushing Forward the Rule of Law （hereafter, ＂Decision＂）. The plenary session was convened at a pivotal stage in comprehensively building a well-off society and comprehen- sively deepening reform. It was the first of its kind with the theme of the rule of law and was a landmark event in China＇s legal construction. The Journal interviewed Professor Luo Haocai, who is also president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies （CSHRS）.

Persist in Law-based Protection of Human Rights and Improve the Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights by the Rule of Law

General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech on China’s Path of Human Rights at a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on February 25,2022.Persisting with the law-based protection of human rights and improving the mechanism for the protection of human rights by the rule of law are essential for unswervingly following the development path of human rights in China.The improvement of the mechanism for the protection of human rights by the rule of law necessitates adhering to the principle of respecting the dominant role of the people and removing the institutional obstacles in rule of law protection of human rights;to comprehensively strengthen the implementation of the Constitution,advance the filing and examination of the Constitution,and safeguard the authority of the Constitution;to accelerate the theoretical innovation of human rights and the construction of the discipline system,the academic system and the discourse system of human rights that meet the needs of the new era in China,and to actively participate in and contribute to the global governance on human rights,etc.Improving the mechanism for the protection of human rights by the rule of law can provide a solid protection for people enjoying a better life.

Advocating Human Rights Protection by Rule of Law, Supporting Human Rights Undertaking with a Giant Hand——Deep Condolences to Dear Former President Luo Haocai

Chairman Luo Haocai served as the president of CSHRS from 2007 to 2016.During those nine years, he built deep friendships with researchers on human rights.Because President Luo served as vice chairman of the National Committee of CPPCC for a long time, we were used to calling him "Chairman Luo." Chairman Luo was a leader with strategic and overall awareness, a scholar-official, an elder with a young mentality, and a motivator and protector of young people.