Category Archives: Transhuman News

Full Text: Progress in China's Human Rights in 2013

The Chinese government on Monday released a white paper detailing the progress made in human rights in 2013, highlighting enhanced social fairness, justice and freedom of speech.

"China's progress in its human rights undertaking is there for everybody to see, and every unbiased and reasonable observer can draw a fair conclusion," said the white paper, published by the State Council Information Office under the title "Progress in China's Human Rights in 2013."

The white paper, elaborating the government's achievements in improving people's right to development, said "China's development provides all Chinese people with the opportunities to develop themselves, serve society, make successes in their life and realize their dreams."

Aiming at promoting social fairness, justice and the people's well-being, the Chinese government comprehensively deepened the reform, promoted various undertakings in the economic, social and cultural fields, and safeguarded the people's rights to equal participation and development in 2013, the report said.

The people's living standards have risen steadily, as China continuously improves the urban and rural residents' clothing, food, accommodation, and transportation conditions, it said.

Although not very developed, China has put in place a social security system, which is the world's largest and suitable to China's current social conditions, the report said.

"Both urban and rural residents, especially people in straitened circumstances, can live in dignity, with their basic living conditions better ensured," it said.

"China's democracy and legal system have been further strengthened," the report said.

The country's rural and urban areas for the first time realized the same ratio of deputies to the represented population in the election to the National People's Congress (NPC) deputies in 2013.

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China issues white paper on human rights

She joins Robert Noble, Interpol secretarygeneral, David Mepham, the UK director of Human Rights Watch and Julie Meyer, the American entrepreneur and judge on the BBC's Dragons' Den, who also cancelled their appearances at the union this week.

Ben Sullivan, a 21yearold student at Christ Church college, resumed his post as Oxford Union president just over a week after his arrest by police on suspicion of rape and attempted rape of two undergraduates. He was released without charge and is currently on bail.

Baroness Lawrence and the singer Paloma Faith are among those who have been urged to withdraw from speaking at the Oxford Union. Other people lined up for this term are Uri Geller and the retired US general, David Petraeus.

Students began a boycott and on May 20 published an open letter calling for Mr Sullivan to step down. Caroline Criado Perez, who campaigned for women to appear on bank notes, and the Leftwing blogger Laurie Penny, were among thoise who signed the letter/

The Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa and Pamela Anderson have all appeared at the debating society in the past.

A C Grayling, a Professor of Philosophy, has criticised a boycott of the union as he said the principle of innocent until proven guilty must be upheld and the president should not be subject to "the kangaroo court of opinion."

Following Mr Sullivan's arrest on May 6, he was called in by police for questioning but was released on bail until June 18. He denies the allegations.

Link:
Human rights activist latest to cancel Oxford Union appearance