The ratification of the International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights fully demonstrates that China's attitude on the
adoption of the international covenants of human rights is positive
and prudent.
Zhou Jue, president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies,
made this remark Thursday after the Standing Committee of the Ninth
National People's Congress ratified the covenant on Wednesday.
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
covers the right to just and favourable work conditions, social
protection, education, health care and cultural freedom.
"The covenant confirms the basic human rights, such as people's
rights to subsistence and development," Zhou said. "To some degree,
it reflects the demands and nature of human rights in developing
countries."
To
ratify the covenant is in accordance with China's stance of
promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights and
putting people's rights to subsistence and development in first
place.
"China's ratification of the covenant not only underlines its
desire to propel and protect the healthy development of human
rights worldwide, but also shows the government's strong confidence
and firm determination to guarantee its civilians' enjoyment of a
variety of human rights and fundamental freedoms," Zhou said.
"China has internationally acknowledged new achievements in
promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights," the
president said.
In
the past years, China's economy has developed rapidly and is very
healthy and is sustainable; reforms have been deepened constantly
and China has witnessed all-round social progress, Zhou said.
The living standard has generally improved with two historical
transitions, first from being poor to having adequate food and
clothing, then from having adequate food and clothing to being
comparatively well-off, he said.
In
response to China Daily's question why China gave the green
light to the covenant three years after it signed the pact, Zhou
said that although the spirit and content of the pact are in line
with China's Constitution, laws, policies and practices, time was
needed to probe the fine points of the articles.
Also, in-depth and wide studies were needed before China approved
the covenant, which would have a comprehensive impact on the life
of the people and the country.
"The United States still has not ratified the covenant though the
US government signed it 24 years ago, while it only took China
three years to ratify it," Zhou added.
"I
believe the Chinese government will continue to adopt more
legislative, judicial and administrative measures to guarantee that
Chinese people enjoy the human rights prescribed by the
covenant."
To
date, the Chinese government has approved or signed 18
international covenants on human rights.
(China Daily 03/02/2001)