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.

The Historic Achievements of the Communist Party of China in Respecting and Protecting Human Rights in the New Era

In the new era,the Communist Party of China(CPC)has made historic achievements in respecting and protecting human rights.Building upon the principle of the“two integrations”(integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and fine traditional culture),it has nurtured new theories on respecting and protecting human rights in the new era,which can address the fundamental questions of whom and what the human rights protection efforts in the new era are for.Guided by the principle of“taking our own path,”it has charted a distinct course for the development of human rights,diverging from the Western approach.The CPC has maintained the unity between Party leadership and the respect for and protection of human rights,promoting progress in human rights through the pursuit of“high-quality development,”and ensuring various fundamental rights of the people through the rule of law.Building upon the past experience,the CPC has established the“source”of the institutional framework for respecting and protecting human rights in the new era,crafted the“body”of this institutional framework,and introduced its practical“application.”In promoting the comprehensive advancement of human rights protection,the CPC has facilitated the connotative development of human rights protection in China,empowering China in international human rights discourse,and contributing Chinese strength and wisdom to global human rights governance.

Systematic and Theoretical Unfolding of Research on Xi Jinping’s Discourses on Respecting and Protecting Human Rights

Xi Jinping’s discourses on respecting and protect-ing human rights stand as a shining example of the sinicization and modernization of Marxist human rights theory,embodying profound theoretical,political,practical,and cultural logic.Existing research has conducted comprehensive and systematic theoretical analysis and academic extractions on the following contents:the core essence in-herent in these important discourses,including the“theory of human rights concepts,”the“theory of human rights paths,”the“theory of human rights practices,”the“theory of human rights protection,”and the“theory of human rights governance,”along with their profound theoretical significance,practical significance,and global signifi-cance.In the future,researchers should emphasize efforts on studying the original texts and understanding the original principles.While focusing on the precision of concepts,the scientific nature of the prop-ositions,the maturity of theoretical systems,and the rigor of internal logic related to Xi Jinping’s discourses on respecting and protecting human rights,researchers should also pay attention to constructing a discourse system on human rights from the dimensions of discourse power,discourse cluster,and discourse field.Researchers should be adept at drawing innovative insights into human rights theory from China’s vibrant human rights practices and the vast masses of people.This approach will facilitate the systematic unfolding,academic trans-formation,and innovative development of Xi Jinping’s discourses on respecting and protecting human rights.

The Prosecutorial Protection of Digital Human Rights

In the digital age,the rise of digital human rights has become an important expansion in the field of human rights.When advancing digital prosecution strategies,prosecutorial agencies should pay greater attention to the protection of digital human rights.The fragile state of digital human rights and the unique position of prosecutorial agencies in human rights protection make it imperative that prosecutorial agencies place more emphasis on fulfilling their responsibilities in legal oversight to promote the protection of digital human rights.Currently,prosecutorial agencies have strengthened the protection of digital human rights through such measures as promoting legal oversight with big data,enhancing the handling of criminal cases involving citizens'digital human rights,expanding the scope of public interest litigation protecting digital human rights,and improving their roles in civil and administrative prosecution.However,there are still challenges related to the inadequacy of updating the mindset,the incompleteness of measures,and the lack of innovation in mechanisms and systems.Therefore,prosecutorial agencies should further align with the implementation of digital prosecution strategies,update their human rights protection concepts,intensify efforts to combat cybercrime,strengthen the protection of citizens'personal information through prosecution,enhance public interest protection of collective digital human rights through public interest litigation,and actively innovate prosecutorial work mechanisms and systems to bolster the protection of digital human rights.

The Development of Human Rights Protection in Cross-border Personality Rights and Tort Conflict Laws

Personality rights are basic rights related to human dignity in the concept of human rights protection,and respect for personality rights is the basic prerequisite for safeguarding other human rights.Human rights protection exerts a profound impact on the value of legislation and enforcement practices of private international laws in the field of cross-border personality rights infringement in various countries,which is mainly manifested in the integration of substantive justice and the humanistic care concept of protecting the rights of vulnerable groups into formal justice,and expands the development space of human rights protection ideas in cross-border personality rights and tort conflict laws.the diversity of human rights protection values determines that cross-border personality rights infringement may lead to conflicts between personality rights and other basic rights,such as freedom of speech.to reconcile such conflicts,a workable method is to prioritize personality rights protection in accordance with the hierarchy of rights theory in the value judgment of public order reservation or to clarify the limits of the right holder’s tolerance obligation through the limited application of the principle of proportionality.China’s current cross-border personality rights and tort conflict law can optimize the protection of the rights of vulnerable groups by diversifying the options of available legal methods,and establish a balancing mechanism between personality rights and freedom of speech,so as to improve China’s legal protection system for human rights in the field of foreign-related civil and commercial affairs.

The Protection of Human Rights in the Construction of Barrier-free Environment--Viewed from the perspective of the Marxist Human Rights Concept

The construction of a barrier-free environment contains a rich connotation of human rights protection,and is closely related to the study of human rights protection in China.With the evolution of the concept of barrier-free design and the expansion of its beneficiary groups,constructing a barrier-free environment has become a basic task that benefits all members of society and meets the public needs of all the people,with its core goal expanding from the protection of the rights of the disabled to the protection of the basic rights and interests of all members of society.Building a barrier-free environment from the perspective of the Marxist human rights concept is conducive to safeguarding the people’s right to subsistence and development,and at the same time,it satisfies their demand for the right to pursue a high-quality and better life and reflects the common vision of everyone in society fully enjoying human rights.promoting the construction of a barrier-free environment in terms of legal protection based on China’s institutional advantages can improve and innovate the country’s legislation on the construction of a barrier-free environment,so as to play an exemplary and guiding role in enhancing the international barrier-free level and enable all people to enjoy the good life created through the drive to build a barrier-free environment.

The Core of the Chinese Democracy Is to Respect and Protect Human Rights——A Summary of the Academic Seminar on Chinese Democracy and Human Rights Protection

On March 26,2023,a Seminar on Chinese Democracy and Human Rights Protection was held,jointly organized by the National Human Rights Education and Training Base and the Human Rights Research Center of Central South University under the guidance of the Chinese Society for Human Rights Studies.The event adopted a combination of online and offline channels.Over 30 experts and scholars from universities,research institutions,and practical departments across the country participated in extensive discussions on“Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Chinese Democracy and Protection of Human Rights.”The seminar aimed to focused on the essence,characteristics,advantages,and human rights implications of Chinese democracy and interpreted the concept of Chinese democracy and the protection of human rights through academic and theoretical methods.

Protection of Women's Rights Means Human Rights Protection——Marking the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

On December 18, 1979, the 34th General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women with an overwhelming majority of the votes in its favor. Over the past 30 years, the Convention has come to be known by increasing numbers of governments and people, particularly women＇s organizations. It has played an increasingly great role in protecting women＇s rights and enhancing women＇s status in society.

From the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to Building a Community with a Shared Future for Human Beings--The Past, Present, and Future of International Human Rights Protection

The UN Charter first of all affirmed the basic concept of international protection of human rights and opened up a broad space for international protection of human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is an important document in the development of the international human rights cause. It established a set of international standards for basic human rights, represents the world’s most important consensus on human rights, and contributes greatly to the creation of an international human rights legal system. The important theory put forward by President Xi Jinping to build a Community with a Shared Future for Human Beings, as a Chinese program for today s global major issues, also outlines a new blueprint for national human rights protection and will play a major role in promoting the development of China’s human rights and international human rights protection.

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.

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.

An Academic Summary of the International Seminar Series on “State Responsibilities for the Protection of Human Rights in Public Health Crises”

On June 8,2020,an international video conference on"State Responsibilities for the Protection of Human Rights in Public Health Crises,"co-organized by the Human Rights Center of Jilin University,the Law School of Jilin University,the Theoretical Law Research Center of Jilin University and Saint-Petersburg State University of Russia,was successfully held under the guidance of the China Society for Human Rights Studies.Chinese and foreign experts and scholars from universities and research institutions at home and abroad participated in the discussion.In the context of a public health crisis and against the background of a complex international situation,the seminar discussed the responsibility of a state to protect human rights from the perspective of the rights and obligations of states regulated by international laws and the international cooperation exhibited by international relations.It fully demonstrated the importance of multilateral cooperation and promoted the concept of a community with a shared future for human beings.

Concept of building a Community with a Shared Future for Human beings and International Cooperation on Pandemic Prevention and Control——Global Pandemic Prevention and Control and Human rights Protection the Second Session of the Series of international S

The global outbreak of COVID-19 has posed a great challenge to the human rights protection.On May 18,2020,the second session of the series of international seminars on"Global Pandemic Prevention and Control and Human Rights Protection",organized by the Institute of Human Rights of China University of Political Science and Law under the guidance of the China Society for Human Rights Studies,was held online.The seminar was themed on the Concept of Building a Community with a Shared Future for Human Beings and International Cooperation on Pandemic Prevention and Control."Through the seminr,Chinese and foreign experts discussed in depth the values of human rights theories,the specific practices and measures taken by China and the European Union in fighting COVID-19,the protection of human rights in emergencies and the issue of human rights derogation.The seminar delivered a general consensus that prejudice should be abandoned in public health emergencies and international cooperation is continuously promoted within the framework of the United Nations to build a community with a shared future for human beings.

The International Protection of Women's Human Rights:with Emphasis on UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

1. The International Protection of Women＇s Human Rights： Emergence of CEDAW For a long time, women＇s rights have been excluded from traditional discourse on human right. The traditional discourse on human rights has developed without considering its impact upon women. Transforming this discourse to a perspective that will consider the needs and vindications of women is absolutely essential.1 Although international efforts addressing women＇s issues presumed to be associated with women began in the nineteenth century, it was in the postwar period that such activity gained a coherent focus under the auspices of United Nations.

Appropriate Attitude and Principle for Strengthening Human Rights Protection——Speech at the opening ceremony of the 12th Sino-German Human Rights Symposium, July 13, 2014

Since 1999, there have been 11 Sino-German Human Rights symposiums. Due to the concept of peace and development and the principle of dialogue through consultation, non- confrontation and pragmatism with equality, which have been upheld by organizers, such symposiums have made great achievements. The dialogue mechanism for human rights topics between China and Germany has helped construct a common, accessible and interactive platform for pushing forward human rights legal advancement in both countries, which has brought about a positive influence on the develop- ment of the human rights cause in the two countries. Strengthening legal construction and ensuring hu- man rights are not only the shared aspiration of all the people in the world, but also the irreversible his- torical trend of human civilization. The symposium, with the theme of international law and human rights protection, encourages participants to discuss and share theories and practices in human rights studies, which makes a significant contribu- tion to enriching the modern human rights concept and building a new type of international cooperation. The international community always pays great attention to the relation- ship between human rights and legal governance. China always abides by international human rights con- ventions including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which set up fundamental principles for promoting and ensuring human rights, and has endorsed 26 inter- national human rights conventions such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Meanwhile, China, through legislation, jurisdiction and admin- istration, brings into full play the active role of international human rights conventions in ensuring hu- man rights in the country.

Boost the Modernization of Human Rights Protection Systems and Endeavor to Fulfill the Chinese Dream——An Address at the Opening Ceremony of the 7th Beijing Forum on Human Rights, Sept. 17, 2014

This session of the Forum has the theme, “The Chinese Dream： New Progress in the Cause of Human Rights in China.” This theme concentrates on such important subtopics as “The Chinese Dream and Human Rights” ,

Enhancing the Rule of Law in China,Improving Judicial Protection for Human Rights

The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China （CPC） was a vi-tally important meeting during the decisive stage of China constructing a well-off society in an all-round way. It endorsed the CPC Central Committee＇s ＂Decision on Certain Key Issues on Comprehensively Deepening Reform＂ （hereafter, ＂the decision.＂） The decision condensed the thinking and wisdom of the entire Party and society regarding comprehensively deepening reform and made a series of new breakthroughs in theory and politics related to reform.