10 | Thursday, July 15, 2021 HONG KONG EDITION | CHINA DAILY DOCUMENT Respecting and Protecting the Rights of All Ethnic Groups in Xinjiang

Editor’s Note: The State Council Informa- In the face of such a severe and complex sit- their population, history, development level public wellbeing and other fields. ing people’s wellbeing. It has carried out a tion Office issued a white paper titled uation and the urgent need to combat terror- and customs, have equal status. They all Community-level self-governance is raft of programs to benefit the local people, Respecting and Protecting the Rights of All ism, Xinjiang has promulgated two local enjoy the democratic right to participate in guaranteed in accordance with the law. significantly improving their lives in all Ethnic Groups in Xinjiang, on July 14. Full regulations – the Measures on Implementing the administration of state and local affairs respects. From having their basic needs met text follows: Community-level self-governance is a major the Counter-Terrorism Law and the Regula- and in community-level self-governance. channel of grassroots democracy in China, to enjoying decent lives, the people of Xinji- tions on Deradicalization. This has been done A system of regional ethnic autonomy and the most effective way to spread as wide- ang have experienced a historic leap in their Contents in full accordance with China’s Constitution, is in place. This system is a basic compo- ly as possible the right of the people to be the standard of living. Durable consumer goods, Preface Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, nent of China’s political system. Under the masters of the country. A number of local once absent in the past, are now widely avail- I. Civil Rights National Security Law, and Counter-Terror- unified leadership of the state, regional regulations provide the legal basis for pro- able, showing how consumption is growing II. Political Rights ism Law, and by taking into account the actu- autonomy is practiced in areas where ethnic tecting grassroots democratic rights in the in quantity and quality. III. Economic Rights al conditions in the region. The purpose of minority groups live in compact communi- region, including Measures on Implement- During the 13th Five-year Plan period IV. Cultural Rights the local regulations is to strike hard at ter- ties. Organs of self-government are estab- ing the Organic Law of the Urban Residents (2016-2020), a total of 1.2 million rural V. Social Rights rorist activities that infringe upon human lished to exercise autonomy in accordance Committees, Measures on Implementing dwellings for low-income families were VI. Rights of Women and Children rights and endanger public security, and at with the law. Regional ethnic autonomy and the Organic Law of the Villagers Commit- completed, and construction started on 1.3 VII. Freedom of Religious Belief illegal and criminal activities that make use autonomous areas are not the exclusive pos- tees, Procedures on the Election of the Vil- million urban affordable housing units, ben- Conclusion of extremism to undermine the law. session of any ethnic group. lagers Committee, and Measures on Making efiting millions of people. All villages have Xinjiang attaches importance to prevent- Xinjiang practices regional autonomy in Village Affairs Transparent. access to asphalt and concrete roads, bus Preface ing terrorism at its source. It has carried out five prefectures: Bayingol Mongolian Autono- Xinjiang currently has 3,389 urban resi- services, three-phase power, and broadband Full realization of human rights is one of preventive counter-terrorism measures, mous Prefecture, Bortala Mongolian Autono- dents committees and 8,906 villagers com- services. Expressways and high-speed rail- the great dreams of all humanity, and a goal including the establishment of vocational mous Prefecture, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous mittees to run public or welfare affairs, ways have been built from scratch, and the to which the people of China, including those education and training centers, to protect Prefecture, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefec- mediate disputes, assist in safeguarding former cover all prefectures and cities. of the ethnic groups in Xinjiang, have long basic rights. For more than four years since ture, and Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture; social stability within their respective juris- Twenty-two civil airports have been com- aspired. the end of 2016 there has been no terrorist and in six counties: Yanqi Hui Autonomous dictions, and report on the opinions, pleted and opened, the highest among all Xinjiang has been home to numerous eth- incident in Xinjiang. The infiltration of County, Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County, requests and proposals of residents and vil- provincial-level administrative units in Chi- nic groups since remote antiquity, and all extremism has been effectively curbed, and Mori Kazak Autonomous County, Hoboksar lagers to relevant people’s governments or na. Modern vehicles and communication the groups in the region are closely related the right to life of people of all ethnic groups Mongolian Autonomous County, Tashkurgan their detached agencies. Almost all commu- tools have become common in both urban members of the broader family of the Chi- has been fully protected. Tajik Autonomous County, and Barkol Kazak nities in both urban and rural areas through- and rural households. Every effort is being nese nation. In 60 BC, the Western Han Liberty is respected and protected. Autonomous County. out Xinjiang have formulated codes of made to ensure the provision of express Dynasty set up the Western Regions Frontier Liberty is the inviolable right of citizens to All the autonomous areas exercise the conduct for citizens. Their capacity to man- delivery services in every village. Command, and Xinjiang was formally incor- carry out whatever activities they wish with- power to govern their respective local age their own affairs by involving the local The right to work is protected. Work porated into the territory of China, becom- in the confines of the law. Religious extrem- affairs, and participate as equals in the residents in educating and serving the com- provides the means for people to subsist. ing an integral part of this unified ists regard those who do not follow administration of state affairs. According to munity and exercising public scrutiny is Everyone has the right to work and create a multiethnic country. extremist practices as “infidels”. They insinu- the Constitution and relevant state laws, the steadily improving. better life. Xinjiang has made employment Before the founding of the People’s Repub- ate religious extremism into people’s daily legislature of an autonomous region, while the priority among its measures for improv- lic of China (PRC) in 1949, the people of Xin- lives, inciting and forcing women to wear exercising the powers of a provincial-level III. Economic Rights ing the people’s wellbeing. It has adopted a jiang suffered oppression from invading burqas and men to wear long beards in the administrative division, has the power to Upholding a people-centered philosophy, pro-employment strategy, encouraging indi- imperialist forces, the feudal exploiting class name of religion. They try to persuade peo- enact regulations on the exercise of regional Xinjiang pursues rapid economic and social vidual initiative, leveraging market mecha- and the privileged religious hierarchy. At the ple not to watch TV, listen to the radio, read autonomy and other particular regulations development. More effort and investment nisms, providing government support, and bottom of the social ladder, they were newspapers, cry at funerals, or laugh at wed- in line with local conditions. have been made to improve the people’s promoting entrepreneurship. deprived of basic human rights. dings, and forbid them to sing and dance. Since 1979, the People’s Congress of Xinji- wellbeing. All ethnic groups enjoy equal The local government has ramped up In 1949, the Chinese people led by the They abuse the halal concept to interfere ang Uygur Autonomous Region and its opportunities and economic rights, and are efforts in vocational training. To increase the Communist Party of China (CPC) overthrew with daily routines and people’s right to Standing Committee have formulated a total developing the region together and building employability of workers, it has worked to the forces of imperialism, feudalism and choose their way of life. of 669 local regulations, with 161 currently in better lives. boost professional competence and skills bureaucrat-capitalism, and founded the To prevent the infringement of civil liber- effect. They have passed 54 resolutions and Equal right to economic development training by developing vocational education PRC. The people of Xinjiang, together with ties, Xinjiang has taken resolute measures to decisions with regulatory functions or on is guaranteed. The right to development is institutions, such as vocational and techni- the rest of the country, were liberated and combat extremism, in full accordance with major issues, and approved 239 separate an inalienable human right, and the essen- cal colleges, secondary technical schools, became masters of their own country. the Constitution, laws and regulations. It regulations and other local regulations sub- tial precondition for the realization of all technician training schools, employment The PRC regards equality, unity and com- has carried out publicity and education cam- mitted by prefecture-level cities, autono- human rights. Since the PRC was founded in training centers, training centers for enter- mon prosperity for all ethnic groups as the paigns on the rule of law to safeguard the mous prefectures or autonomous counties. 1949, the people of Xinjiang have been work- prise employees, and vocational education basic requirements for managing ethnic public’s right to personal liberty. Citizens, The right to vote and stand for election ing hard together and have achieved a his- and training centers. affairs and handling ethnic relations. It regardless of ethnicity and belief, are free to is institutionalized. As stipulated by the toric transformation – with many Xinjiang has provided additional support established the system of regional ethnic move, choose their own jobs, and lead the Constitution and laws, Chinese citizens of undertakings starting from scratch and now to severely impoverished areas, and to key autonomy in areas inhabited by ethnic lives they choose as far as the law permits any ethnic origin have the right to vote and thriving – from extreme poverty to moderate groups including university graduates, sur- minorities in compact communities. By without external interference or constraint. stand for election. The principles in elections prosperity in all respects. plus urban and rural labor, workers from 1954, Xinjiang had established five autono- At the same time, Xinjiang has made great are: universal suffrage, equality, combination Agriculture and animal husbandry have poor families, people experiencing difficul- mous prefectures and six autonomous coun- efforts to operate radio and television sta- of direct and indirect elections, and multi- developed and modernized; industries have ties in finding work, and rural women. It has ties. In 1955, the Xinjiang Uygur tions, publish newspapers and magazines, candidate election (In elections for national grown rapidly with the integrative applica- provided dynamic, categorized and targeted Autonomous Region was founded. The and build internet infrastructure and vari- and local people’s congresses, the number of tion of information, digital and smart tech- assistance to people with employment diffi- establishment of these autonomous divi- ous online platforms, so that citizens can candidates for election must exceed the num- nologies; the service sector has seen its culties and zero-employment families so as sions effectively guaranteed the democratic enjoy their right to freedom of expression ber of posts available). Citizens of all ethnic status and role expand as a driver of eco- to ensure that each family has at least one rights of people in Xinjiang to be masters of through smoother channels and in more groups in the autonomous region directly nomic growth. All ethnic groups enjoy equal member in work. their own affairs, and started a new era of diverse and convenient ways. elect deputies to the people’s congresses at rights to participation and development, Workers’ job preferences are fully respect- socialist ethnic relations characterized by The right to a fair trial is well main- county and township levels, who then elect moving steadily towards the goal of com- ed, and structured conditions have been cre- equality, unity, mutual assistance and har- tained. Impartiality is the lifeline of the rule deputies to each succeeding level, from the mon prosperity. ated for people to find jobs locally, to seek mony. Xinjiang ushered in a new stage of of law. Xinjiang’s judicial organs pursue prefecture-level congress, through the con- From 1955 to 2020, Xinjiang’s GDP soared work in urban areas, or to start their own economic and social development, and bet- social fairness and justice, which are the val- gress of the autonomous region, to the from RMB 1.2 billion to RMB 1.4 trillion, and businesses. Almost all those with the ability ter protection of human rights. ues of the rule of law. They promote reform National People’s Congress (NPC). its per capita GDP rose from RMB 241 to to work have been provided with jobs. For more than 70 years since 1949, the to establish a criminal litigation system cen- The 13th NPC has 61 deputies from Xinji- RMB 53,593, a notable increase of about 160 From 2014 to 2020, the total employed CPC and the Chinese government have tering on trials, fully protect the right to a ang, of whom 38 (62.3 percent) are from eth- times and 30 times at constant prices. From population in Xinjiang grew from 11.4 mil- upheld a people-centered approach to fair trial at all stages from investigation to nic minority groups. The NPC Standing 1978 to 2020, the per capita disposable lion to 13.6 million, up by nearly 20 percent. human rights protection, treating the rights prosecution, trial, and enforcement of court Committee also has ethnic minority mem- income of urban residents rose from RMB The urban employed population grew by an to subsistence and development as the pri- rulings, and strive to ensure that all people, bers from Xinjiang. The 13th People’s Con- 319 to RMB 34,838, and that of rural resi- annual average of 470,000, of which mary human rights. Integrating the princi- whatever their ethnic background, experi- gress of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous dents from RMB 119 to RMB 14,056, both 149,000, or nearly 32 percent, were in south- ple of universal human rights with the ence a sense of fairness and justice in every Region is formed by 548 deputies, of whom representing an increase of over 100 times. ern Xinjiang. An average of 2.8 million country’s realities, China has enriched its judicial case. 353 (64.4 percent) are of ethnic minority ori- Extreme poverty has been eradicated. urban job opportunities were provided strategy for the governance of Xinjiang with To provide the public with better access gins. Xinjiang now has 2,488 deputies to Poverty is a major problem that plagues annually to the surplus rural workforce, of the following guidelines: governing Xinji- to litigation, the judicial authorities have prefecture-level people’s congresses (includ- humanity, and poverty eradication is the which 1.7 million, or more than 60 percent, ang in accordance with the law, maintain- set up 74 circuit courts, 103 Fengqiao-style ing 1,349 of ethnic minority origins, 54.2 per- most arduous global human rights cause in were offered to those in southern Xinjiang. ing stability in the region through ethnic courts (In the early 1960s, the officials and cent), 16,960 deputies to county-level the contemporary era. Historical and natural While promoting employment, Xinjiang unity, nourishing the cultures of Xinjiang, citizenry of Fengqiao Town in Zhejiang people’s congresses (including 10,025 of eth- factors have led to Xinjiang being long under- guarantees legitimate labor rights and inter- promoting prosperity among the local pop- Province created the Fengqiao practice, nic minority origins, 59.1 percent), and developed, with a large poor population. ests in accordance with the law, such as equal ulation, and developing Xinjiang from a which emphasized solving problems in situ 43,204 deputies to township-level people’s The Hotan, Kashgar, and Aksu prefectures employment opportunities, remuneration, long-term perspective. In this process, Chi- rather than passing them up to higher congresses (including 31,739 of ethnic and the Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefec- social insurance, rest and leave, and occupa- na has given priority to securing and authorities. The practice has developed minority origins, 73.5 percent). ture in southern Xinjiang suffered from a tional safety. It has put in place a supervisory improving people’s wellbeing, advanced over the intervening decades, and is now a The right to participate in the deliber- harsh environment, weak economic founda- system to protect labor rights and interests, various undertakings in Xinjiang, and model for promoting community-level gov- ation and administration of state and tions, and seriously inadequate opportuni- addressing reports and complaints concern- shared the fruits of reform and develop- ernance and social harmony), and 1,645 ser- local affairs is guaranteed. Xinjiang is the ties for employment. Ranked by the state as ing wage arrears, failure to provide labor ment with people of all ethnic groups, so as vice stations, circuit trial centers, and only region in China that has autonomous severely impoverished areas, they presented contracts, and other infringements. Judicial to guarantee their equal rights to participa- offices for case consultations with judges. areas at all the three levels – region, prefec- the toughest challenge in China’s fight authorities, human resource and social secu- tion and development. Thanks to these The average trial period has been shortened ture and county. People’s congresses and against poverty. Supported by the central rity departments, and trade union organiza- efforts, human rights have made steady by 21.6 days, and the rate of cases ended at people’s governments of ethnic autonomous government and the region’s partners in the tions have worked closely to investigate and progress in Xinjiang. first instance is 90.8 percent. In 2020, areas exercise autonomy to administer local national paired assistance program, Xinji- correct infringements of labor rights and courts at various levels in Xinjiang heard affairs. The chair of the autonomous region, ang has adopted poverty alleviation meas- interests. Labor rights protection has been I. Civil Rights 604,900 cases, and concluded 587,400 of the governors of autonomous prefectures, ures to help the poor, such as developing constantly improved in Xinjiang. All ethnic groups of the People’s Republic them, with a settlement rate of 97.1 percent. and the heads of autonomous counties are businesses, creating job opportunities, of China enjoy equality. All citizens, regard- Technological tools such as mobile all citizens from the local ethnic groups exer- improving education and health care, reno- IV. Cultural Rights less of ethnicity, gender, occupation, level of e-court, cloud court trial, and smart enforce- cising regional autonomy. vating dilapidated rural houses, and relocat- Xinjiang attaches great importance to education, and religious belief, share the civ- ment of court rulings are used to file cases Within the framework of consultative ing the poor from inhospitable areas. These documenting and protecting its excellent il rights prescribed by the Constitution and online and across geographical boundaries, democracy, the local committees of the Chi- measures have proved effective and remark- traditional ethnic cultures, to ensure that the law on an equal footing. hold remote court sessions, and mediate nese People’s Political Consultative Confer- able results have been achieved. they are passed on to succeeding genera- The right to life is guaranteed. The online, so that people can engage in legal ence (CPPCC) in Xinjiang encourage people By the end of 2020, more than 2.7 million tions. It has continued its efforts to improve right to life is an inherent right of humanity, action without leaving their homes. from all walks of life and different ethnic rural people in Xinjiang living below the cur- the quality of public cultural services and and no person can be arbitrarily deprived of Xinjiang has also improved its judicial groups to participate in state and local rent poverty line had emerged from poverty, promote the use of standard Chinese. It this right. For some time, under the influ- assistance system to ensure that people in affairs. The committees provide timely, and 3,666 villages and 32 counties were no encourages ethnic groups to learn spoken ence of the evolving international situation need have access to judicial relief. Courts at accurate, and efficient reporting on public longer classified as poor. Rural residents in and written languages from each other, and and the spread of terrorism and extremism all levels in Xinjiang handled and concluded opinion, and guarantee that the people of all poor areas have seen rapid growth in both takes solid measures to ensure the right to around the world, terrorist forces at home 545 cases of state compensation and judicial ethnic groups enjoy their right to participate incomes and consumption spending. Their education. and abroad claiming to represent “East relief, and deferred, reduced or exempted lit- in political consultation and democratic per capita disposable income was RMB Xinjiang’s fine traditional ethnic cul- Turkistan” have colluded to spread religious igation costs to a value of RMB26.1 million supervision. 13,052 in 2020, an average annual increase tures are protected. The splendid Chinese extremism behind the smokescreen of eth- for needy litigants. In order to fully protect The 13th CPPCC National Committee has of 10.8 percent since 2012; their per capital civilization was created by all ethnic groups nicity and religion, taking advantage of peo- the public’s right to information, they have 34 members from Xinjiang, of whom 18 consumption spending was RMB 9,007 in of China, and the ethnic cultures are an ple’s ethnic and religious feelings. They have established a platform for judicial openness (52.9 percent) are from ethnic minority 2020, an average annual increase of 9 per- inseparable part of Chinese culture. China’s incited hatred and discrimination, advocat- to release timely information on the hearing groups. The 12th Xinjiang Uygur Autono- cent since 2013. The poor population’s rights Law on the Protection of Cultural Relics and ed violence, and plotted and carried out of cases and enforcement of court rulings. mous Region Committee of the CPPCC has to subsistence and development have been Law on Intangible Cultural Heritage, and thousands of terrorist acts, resulting in the They are also working to achieve full cover- 502 members, of whom 236 (47 percent) are guaranteed. Xinjiang’s local measures and regulations on deaths of large numbers of innocent people age of lawyers’ service in criminal cases to from ethnic minority groups. As of March Basic standard of living is enhanced. implementing these laws have laid down a and hundreds of police officers. These acts guarantee the right of defense to suspects 2021, the 12th Xinjiang Committee of the The right to a basic standard of living solid legal framework for protecting the eth- have seriously endangered the lives of peo- and defendants. CPPCC had submitted a total of 2,588 pro- ensures human dignity. Xinjiang spends nic cultures in the region. ple of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and tram- II. Political Rights posals covering politics, the economy, cul- more than 70 percent of its general public pled on human dignity. All ethnic groups in Xinjiang, regardless of ture, education, science and technology, budget every year on ensuring and improv- See page 11