The Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) has been collaborating with Chinese institutions since 1998, when it began its participation in the EU-China Human Rights dialogue introduced that year on the initiative of the Chinese government.
DIHR in China
The chief objective of DIHR cooperation in China is to strengthen human rights based on the rule of law in Chinese society. The Institute has focused its efforts on supporting the concept of equal treatment of all citizens before the law and increasing awareness of international human rights standards among law enforcement personnel, academics, the judiciary and the population at large. In accordance with the its mandate, the Institute concentrates on supporting the protection of human rights on a national basis in China, rather than the monitoring and documentation of human rights violations.
DIHR's engagement in China is based on the following basic premises, which derive from our understanding of the present political and socio-economic situation and the need to develop further the protection of human rights in the country. The sheer size of the country demands a rigid focus in our selection of both geographical and topical areas, of partners as well as cooperation methods. Our choices are determined by the identification of open channels and feasible partners on the Chinese side, and an appraisal of where our own resources can best be put to use. The philosophy guiding the entire range of activities which make up DIHR's China programme is based on the fundamental indivisibility of all human rights, whether inside or outside the judicial system.
The cooperation activities comprise joint research, training of professional groups, and education at university level. The topics are primarily fair trial, especially protection of suspects in the pre-trial phase; women’s rights, both in civil society and in relation to criminal cases; and social rights, especially the reform of the social security system. A separate focus involve capital punishment where Chinese and foreign scholars engage in a discussion of how to restrict, and ultimately abolish, the use of the death penalty in the Chinese legal system.
Partners on the Chinese side are universities and research institutions, judiciary organs and professional organizations. The DIHR furthermore works closely together with the corresponding institutes in Norway, Sweden and Hong Kong on implementing our projects and programmes in China. For detailed information on these, as well as background material and publications, please take your time to make use of the different links on this page.