China to better protect people's civil and political rights: action plan

China will step up efforts to promote judicial protection of human rights and civil participation in political affairs over the next five years, according to an action plan released on Thursday.

China plans to standardize acts of law enforcement and judicature touching on the rights of the person, preventing acts such as extorting confessions by torture, said the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2016-2020) released by the State Council Information Office.

Administrative bodies shall not extend their power beyond the law, and not impose any coercive measure or punishment that restrict personal freedom in the absence of Constitutional basis or legal basis.

Following the rule of judicial operation, an adjudication-centered litigation system will be established, and judicial credibility be enhanced to guarantee people's rights to fair trial, it said.

Moreover, China will continue to support the freedom of religious belief. Regulations on religious affairs will be amended to better support religious groups to hold activities and make self-improvement.

The country also plans to develop and expand citizens' right to know and increase the means and forms of their orderly participation in social governance.

In addition, the action plan said China will give more space to public opinion, improve the check and supervision system for the operation of power, and protect citizens' rights of free expression and democratic supervision. Endi