Human Rights and Rule of Law in China

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The Congressional-Executive Commission on China held a Commission hearing entitled "Human Rights and Rule of Law in China," on Wednesday, September 20 from 10 AM to 11:30 AM in Room 138 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. Senator Chuck Hagel, Chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, presided.

The Commission issues a report each year to the Congressional leadership and to the President on human rights conditions and the development of the rule of law in China. In connection with the release of the 2006 Annual Report, the Commission asked a distinguished group of witnesses to assess the current state of freedom of expression, criminal and civil rights defense, and government transparency in providing information about prisoners of conscience in China. The witnesses also discussed the state of the legal profession and efforts to develop the rule of law, adopt democratic institutions of governance, implement legislative reform, and improve the environment for domestic and international civil society institutions in China. The Commission also heard the perspective of the witnesses on how the United States might best engage with the Chinese government through dialogue on human rights and rule of law issues.

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