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EU CHINA HUMAN RIGHTS NETWORK

The overall aim of the cooperation carried out in the framework of the EU China Human Rights Network is to assist China in the process of bringing its laws into compliance with international standards, and advancing practical protection of the substantive rights guaranteed by the UN Covenants.

The Network is a partnership composed of more than 15 European universities representing more than 15 EU Member States and 15 Chinese universities led by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

The network is co-ordinated by The Irish Centre for Human Rights of the National Ireland University in Galway. Three other European institutions, Paris II, Milan and Essex, are co-partners and make up the remaining European members of the Steering Committee.
The Network is funded by the European Commission with the full co-operation of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Network objectives are primarily to be achieved through provision of academic expertise and technical assistance in a series of Working Groups ('Network Seminars') held alternately in Europe and China. Working Groups - through in-depth examination of international standards and Chinese experience - should ultimately result in very practical recommendations for revision of Chinese law.

There is also a provision in the budget for development of training materials for use in China, hands-on training of relevant officials and professionals, as well as a series of exchanges and internships for Chinese students and professionals.

The Network now has responsibility to organise the Dialogue Seminars series on behalf of its co-hosts: the European Commission, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Presidency of the European Union. In terms of substance, the outcomes and recommendations of Network research and Seminars will also feed into the Dialogue Seminars, thus contributing to a more practical and concrete focus in the dialogue process.

Eight priority themes for these activities have been agreed on with CASS and approved by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

1. Institutional Mechanisms for the Implementation of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
2. Freedom of Association
3. Judicial Guarantees of Human Rights (fair trial, due process etc);
4. Transparency and Regulation of Mass Media;
5. Right to Health (including Reproductive Health and Rights and the Environment);
6. Cultural Rights of Minority Peoples;
7. The ICCPR and domestic law;
8. Children's Rights.

In addition, women's rights, the rights of the child and human rights education will be addressed as cross-cutting issues.
For detailed information on activities and structure of the EU-China Human Rights Network, please refer to the network's website.