HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TO VISIT CHINA

7 November 2001



United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson will be visiting Beijing from 8 to 10 November 2001.

Mrs. Robinson will sign an agreement with the Chinese authorities concerning activities to be undertaken in 2002 in the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding concluded with China last year on technical cooperation in the field of human rights. These activities concern the administration of justice system with a focus on the human rights training of judges, lawyers, prison and police officials; the development of human rights education programmes at the school and university levels; and the organization of specific projects in the provinces on economic, social and cultural rights.

In addition, the High Commissioner will open a workshop on human rights education in primary and secondary schools (8-9 November 2001), which has specific significance as a contribution to the ongoing United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education (1995-2004).

In Beijing, the High Commissioner will also meet with senior officials, including President Jiang Zemin, to discuss specific human rights issues.

The workshop on human rights education is the third and last activity envisaged for the year 2001 under the Memorandum of Understanding after sessions on the punishment of minor crimes (February) and for the police (July). The meeting -- bringing together about 40 policy-makers, officers responsible for teacher-training institutions and for education faculties of universities, materials and curriculum developers and other relevant professionals B will explore strategies and propose practical steps to incorporate human rights education fully in the Chinese school system. Three international resource persons, as well as national experts, will make presentations during the sessions and facilitate the workshop.




* *** *