On Harmony and Human Rights

In 1968 the United Nations General Assembly approved two conventions on Human Rights that expanded upon the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: the International Convenant on Political and Civil Rights, and the International Convenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 

It comes as no surprise that China did not ratify the Convenant on Political and Civil Rights, but for some, it may come as suprise that the world's grand and booming orator on human rights, the United States, did not ratify the Convenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. China however, in line with the majority of developing nations, did ratify this second Convenant. Regardless of my personal opinion, I think it is perfectly logical that a nation as large as China, with China's history, insists that the right to develop and the right to subsist be prioritized over individual rights.

In regards to these two convenants, we can jusifiably conclude that the boxing rounds between these two powerhouses about human rights do not actually include any agreement about the nature of human rights. The US accuses China of being an authoritarian state impinging on people's civil and political rights, and China, in turn, accuses the US of being a 'violent, crime-ridden society' that 'does not guarantee the personal safety' of its citizens. 

Articulating the Chinese understanding of human rights, also sheds light on the logic of a billion Chinese standing up to say: "China brought human rights and freedom to Tibet, a feudal nation wallowing in poverty and slavery." What remains doubtful of course, even within China's own mindset of human rights, is just how China has brought 'cultural rights' to the Tibetan state.

All this aside, I can't help but notice that despite China's aggressive claims to the protection and advancement of human rights, a soft underbelly of uncertainty belies the public consciousness. I dug a knife into this underbelly earlier this week, when I messaged my editor, proposing the inclusion of a unit on human rights in a series of high school textbooks that I'm writing. Her response was all too clear: "Harmony, and One World, One Dream. Thanks." 

 

Reference: Ching, Frank, China: The Truth about its Human Rights Record, Random House, Great Britain, 2008.

*

big cats in small boxes

.big cats in small boxes I

Most guidebooks suggest travellers make a pass on the Beijing Zoo. The general outlook is that any enthusiast is in for a fairly miserable adventure, that will lack the Disneyland lustre of well-funded, high-calibre zoos.

What these travellers unfortunately miss out on, is the opportunity to be absolutely appalled at the horrendous conditions at this zoo, and be forced to use all manner of will-power not to open cages, and release a family of Siberian tigers into the back Hutongs of the city.

Not only are the Jing's animals clearly suffering from isolation and neglect, there has clearly been very little attempt at natural environment simulation. So instead of being surrounded by trees and the sounds of nature (which can't survive the Beijing winter anyway), most animals live in barred-off, cemented, pocket-hole apartments - not so unlike the human population, but without an out.

Whilst the most difficult vision is the hall filled with giant cats (lions, tigers, jaguars etc) locked indoors, in tiny, cement enclosures, it is also depressing (for an Australian) to find a group of kangaroos huddled around a heater in a small cement box.


.big cats in small boxes II
*

1.5 million pre-olympic evictions

Olympic related ‘urban transformation’ has displaced more than 2 million people in the last 20 years. In a bid not to let the team down, China is making every effort to violate the housing rights of 1.5 million Beijingers pre-Olympics.

Districts targeted for development and evictions include: (in alphabetical order) Dongcheng, Chaoyang, Chongwen, Fengtai, Haidian, Shijingshan, Xicheng and Xuanwu – most of the city. Human Rights groups have claimed: the evictions are characterized by a lack of formal process; and that tenants are often given little or no notice, and little or no compensation.

It is not uncommon to hear about, or even see, cases of tenants refusing to leave their homes, despite new constructions being approved, and demolition of the site being initiated. These last ‘strongholds’ can be seen clinging to a way of life, even as the rest of a building crumbles around them.

What we can hope to find at the dawn of the Olympics is a spanking new city, full of office buildings, shopping centres, modern apartment complexes, and newly widened roads, overlaying the Beijing that was – its dusty, picturesque alleys, full of hutongs and small-time vendors.


.gongtiyuchan dajie, sanlitun (foto: noveno colectivo)
*

做文明北京人: civilization campaigns

"It is crucial that the public should strive to desert all uncivilized behavior, and work vigorously toward creating a civilized and harmonious society to host a successful Olympic games."

– 2008 Olympic committee President Liu Qi

Pre-Olympic ‘Civilize China’ or ‘Wen Ming’ Campaigns are in many ways no more than a repeat of China’s historical purges – without the public killings. ‘Civilization’ is being imposed with a heavy hand from the government, for the sole purpose of ‘saving face’ when the foreign devils descend upon the city.

Eradicating behaviours such as: littering, foul language, spitting in public areas, smoking, line-cutting, and wrongful conduct at sports events, are now under the jurisdiction of the Government’s Capital Spiritual Civilization Office. The introduction of a 50RMB fine for spitting in public is just one of the government’s new initiatives.

During the past year, mass-mail outs reaching millions have informed citizens about what is now considered ‘proper conduct.’ Additionally, service sector workers such as taxi drivers, shop assistants and bus conductors, along with civil servants have been given ‘civilization training courses.’ The 11th day of every month is now ‘lining-up day;’ and to emulate the attractive, symmetrical lines of the number 11, citizens are encouraged to board public transport in an orderly fashion.

On a more sinister note, a number of taxi drivers are now being sent out in civvies to spy on their colleagues. These ‘undercover agents’ have been put in place to ensure appropriate taxi conduct, and fine the offenders 200RMB (about 10 percent of their monthly wage). Of course there is no excuse for poor conduct, when you consider the notices displayed on every glove-box, reminding the driver that being ‘civilized’ means: brushing your teeth, bathing each day, and changing your clothes regularly.

In a further initiative, petrol multinational Sinopec has masterminded a privately-run campaign aimed at civilizing the Jing’s drivers. More than a sixth of the capital’s drivers have agreed to be secretly filmed, in the hope of making it through ten minutes of civilized driving. Ten road-rage free minutes caught on camera rewards the driver with 200RMB worth of fuel, a 300RMB carwash, and televised glory. Uncivilized driving is treated with televised humiliation.

Overall, we are left wondering if the Government’s campaigns will have any real, lasting effect after the heat of the Olympics passes, and just how ‘civilized’ it is, to enforce ‘civilized’ behaviour.


.sanlitun billboard: be a civilized beijinger for a great olympics!
*