[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 24 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 24

    Commending China's Charter 08 movement and related efforts for 
  upholding the universality of human rights and advancing democratic 
                           reforms in China.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 28, 2009

   Mr. Casey (for himself and Mr. Brownback) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Commending China's Charter 08 movement and related efforts for 
  upholding the universality of human rights and advancing democratic 
                           reforms in China.

Whereas the People's Republic of China adopted in 1971 the Universal Declaration 
        of Human Rights, and has signed or ratified numerous international 
        covenants and conventions protecting human rights, including the 
        International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, done at New York 
        December 16, 1966, and entered into force March 23, 1976, the 
        International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, done at 
        New York December 16, 1966, and entered into force January 3, 1976, and 
        the International Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or 
        Degrading Treatment or Punishment, done at New York, December 10, 1984, 
        and entered into force June 26, 1987, among others;
Whereas the Constitution of the People's Republic of China ``protects and 
        guarantees human rights'' by providing citizens with equality under the 
        law, freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, procession, and 
        demonstration, the right to own and inherit private property, freedom of 
        religion, equality for women, and numerous other rights consistent with 
        the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human 
        rights conventions and covenants;
Whereas, since 1991, the Governments of the United States and China have held 13 
        Human Rights Dialogues, the most recent of which took place in May 2008 
        in Beijing;
Whereas, in January 1977, more than 200 citizens of Czechoslovakia, representing 
        different professions, faiths, and beliefs, formed a ``loose, informal, 
        and open association of people . . . united by the will to strive 
        individually and collectively for respect for human and civil rights'' 
        and issued a document called Charter 77, which called on their 
        government to protect basic civic and human rights as enshrined under 
        national laws;
Whereas, inspired by the Charter 77 movement, on December 10, 2008, an informal 
        group of more than 300 citizens of China from a wide array of 
        backgrounds, professions, faiths, and beliefs issued a public statement 
        entitled ``Charter 08'', a 19-point plan calling for greater rights and 
        political reform in China, increased liberties, democracy, religious 
        freedom, and rule of law;
Whereas authorities in China have detained several affiliates of that Charter 08 
        effort, including Liu Xiaobo, who remains in custody;
Whereas the Department of State has called on the Government of China to release 
        Liu Xiaobo and cease harassment of all Chinese citizens who peacefully 
        express their desire for internationally recognized fundamental 
        freedoms; and
Whereas thousands of individuals have added their names to the Charter 08 
        petition, and the document has been referenced in over 300,000 websites 
        and blogs: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) notes the numerous commitments the China has made to 
        the international community as a signatory to the United 
        Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other 
        international conventions;
            (2) commends the citizens of China who have signed onto 
        Charter 08 and are upholding principles consistent with China's 
        international commitments on human rights and its own 
        constitution;
            (3) calls on the Government of China to release all people 
        detained because of their involvement or affiliation with the 
        Charter 08 effort, including Liu Xiaobo, in addition to all 
        prisoners of conscience detained in violation of the domestic 
        law and international commitments of China; and
            (4) calls on President Barack Obama and Secretary of State 
        Hillary Clinton to engage with the Government of China on human 
        rights issues at every reasonable opportunity and using all 
        diplomatic means available, including the U.S.-China Human 
        Rights Dialogue, and resist pressure to replace this dialogue 
        with a weaker alternative.
                                 <all>