China sets HR agenda for sensitive year
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
BEIJING, April 13 (Reuters): China has promised its citizens stronger legal protection, improved incomes and expanded channels to complain as part of its first "human rights action plan," which casts the Communist Party government as guardian of rights.
The plan, issued by state media Monday, marks another step in the ruling Party's efforts to seize the initiative against critics at home and abroad who accuse it of stifling free speech and jailing dissidents, especially in the sensitive 20th year since troops crushed pro-democracy protests in Beijing.
Chinese officials reject those criticisms and say their idea of human rights focuses on lifting living standards of hundreds of millions of people, many still stuck in poverty.
The plan, issued by state media Monday, marks another step in the ruling Party's efforts to seize the initiative against critics at home and abroad who accuse it of stifling free speech and jailing dissidents, especially in the sensitive 20th year since troops crushed pro-democracy protests in Beijing.
Chinese officials reject those criticisms and say their idea of human rights focuses on lifting living standards of hundreds of millions of people, many still stuck in poverty.