The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development
Program (UNDP) signed an agreement in Beijing yesterday to support
an initiative to strengthen the rule of law and development of
civil society in China.
The four-year, US$10.5-million "Governance for Equitable
Development" is the most comprehensive program of its kind,
addressing key issues in the enactment of laws by the National
People's Congress (NPC), the judicial process through the Supreme
People's Court (SPC) and people's participation through the
Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) and civil society organizations
(CSOs) in China.
"While China has enjoyed remarkable economic growth and (seen)
much improved living standards in the past (three) decades, social
inequality, corruption, and inadequate law enforcement have created
severe barriers for vulnerable groups," Khalid Malik, UN Resident
Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in China, said at the
signing ceremony.
That has necessitated the program, Malik said.
Nearly half of the program's budget will be spent on developing
a better legal and policy framework for CSOs and increasing their
interaction with government agencies and other social
institutions.
The program will help the MCA continue reforming and
streamlining the registration process for CSOs one of the greatest
obstacles for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) seeking legal
status in China.
Besides, the joint initiative will assist the SPC in various
policy and legal reforms aimed at creating a more transparent and
equitable legal system in China.
For example, it will help the SPC increase the legal channels
for plaintiffs seeking compensation for crimes and rights
violations.
Also, it will sponsor training workshops and international and
inter-provincial study tours for legal professionals, and help the
Legal Affairs Committee of the NPC Standing Committee increase
public participation in the law drafting process.
Moreover, the process of appointing judicial officials and
publicizing of judicial decisions will be reviewed and
overhauled.
"The Chinese government has long attached great importance to
the rule of law in developing a harmonious society and has pursued
close cooperation with the international community," said Zhang
Shaogang, deputy director of department of international trade and
economic affairs, under the Ministry of Commerce.
"The program signed today is an example, and we deeply
appreciate the contribution of the EU and the UNDP," Zhang
said.
The programs will be implemented in Beijing and other select
areas across China from June 2007 to December 2010 by the SPC, the
MCA and the Legal Affairs Committee of NPC Standing Committee.
The EU will contribute $8 million of the budget, the UNDP, $2
million, with the Chinese government providing the rest.
The EU and the UNDP have a history of supporting legal and
judicial reforms in China, with the former currently being involved
in setting up of a "EU-China School of Law".
And the UNDP recently elevated the level of its partnership with
CSOs in China.
(China Daily May 15, 2007)