A three-day symposium on Respecting and Promoting Human Rights
and Constructing a Harmonious World ended on Friday with a
wide-ranging consensus for more cooperation to develop human
rights.
More than 70 delegates from 19 countries submitted papers and
delivered speeches covering almost every aspect of human rights,
including basic concepts, national practices, individual freedoms,
rights of different social groups, political rights and rights
relevant to daily life.
"The symposium set an example for exchanges and dialogue as
delegates from different countries and cultures shared views with
mutual respect," said Jin Jian, vice-director of the China Society
for Human Rights Studies.
Jin said delegates to the Beijing event clarified standpoints of
their respective countries. They all expressed the wish to
safeguard and promote human rights by all countries and
peoples.
Delegates from China proposed the principle that the universal
character of human rights must be implemented proceeding from the
specific conditions of each country. The right to subsistence and
development was the human right of paramount importance. All
countries should promote dialogue and oppose antagonism.
All delegates believed all people were entitled to human rights,
irrespective of race, gender, religious belief and language. The
elimination of poverty, and economic and social development were of
special importance to the development of human rights.
Jin said some countries promoted rights through their
constitutions, some protected rights with the help of
non-governmental organizations, and some promoted political
democracy through eliminating illiteracy.
Delegates hoped the United Nations Commission of Human Rights
played a positive role in promoting international cooperation.
Jin said the concept of a harmonious world was worthy of the
joint efforts of all humanity. Insufficient respect and guarantees
for human rights led to wars, increasing poverty, the widening of
south-north disparities, terrorism, environmental degradation and
other problems.
Dong Yunhu, vice-director and general-secretary of the China
Society for Human Rights Studies, said controversies were left
unresolved after the meeting, and exchanges of different views
would continue.
"We all hoped that nations could strengthen international
cooperation on both governmental and non-governmental levels," he
said.
(Xinhua News Agency November 24, 2006)