V. Human Rights Education for the Public

With the Chinese government's efforts in the field of human rights education and publicity, the Chinese public's awareness of human rights and their ability to safeguard such rights have been greatly enhanced during the past two years. The goals set in the Action Plan have been achieved.

Knowledge about laws and human rights has been included in China's nine-year compulsory education. The course "Morality and Life" at the elementary education stage leads children to respect and cherish life, and get to know about children's rights. The course "Ideological and Moral Standards" at the junior high school stage introduces 17 items concerning laws and human rights, as well as the Law on the Protection of Minors. While in senior high schools, the course "Ideology and Politics" summarizes citizens' rights and duties as stipulated in the Constitution, and international conventions on human rights.

More theoretical researches and education on human rights are carried out in institutions of higher learning. Three textbooks about human rights, including International Human Rights Law, were included in the national textbooks for higher education during the 11th Five-year Plan. At present, there are nearly 30 human rights research centers in China, set up by colleges and research institutes. Dozens of colleges are offering courses in human rights laws and human rights education. Universities including Nankai University, Shandong University and China University of Political Science and Law have enrolled masters and Ph.D. candidates in human rights. The Ministry of Education has also established national-level human rights education and training centers at Nankai University, China University of Political Science and Law and Guangzhou University.

Human rights education for civil servants has also been stressed. Over the past two years, the State Council Information Office has held four training sessions about human rights for Party cadres and government employees at various levels, and judiciary personnel. The Party School of the CPC Central Committee and Party schools of local CPC committees all conduct courses in human rights. The public security organs run core-value education among the police force, raising policemen's awareness of the rule of law, judicial procedures, evidence and human rights. County-level police chiefs, prison wardens and directors of justice bureau also received training on human rights during the two years.

Human rights education oriented to the general public has been carried out. During the two years China Society for Human Rights Studies and other research institutes published a series of books, including China's Human Rights in Action and China's Human Rights Achievements over the Past Sixty Years. The periodical Human Rights and the website Humanrights.cn also energetically spread knowledge about human rights among the public.