On April 15, 2008, H.E. Amb. TANG Guoqiang, head of the Chinese delegation and Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Vienna, attended the 17th Session of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and made a statement under the item of Thematic Debate on aspects of violence against women. The full text of the statement is as follows.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

First of all, please allow me, on behalf of the Chinese delegation, to express our sincere congratulations to you and the other members of the bureau on you election. I am confident that under your able guidance this session will be a complete success.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

The promotion of gender equality is a basic national policy to which the New China has always adhered since its founding. In recent years, the government has taken the issue of fairness and justice, including gender equality, as a key element in the construction of a harmonious socialist society, having adopted multiple economic, legal, administrative and advocacy measures to advance women's overall development.

 

China is resolutely opposed to violence against women, always upholds combating various criminal activities violating women's rights, and has taken concrete measures to address. China's Criminal Law, the Criminal Procedure Law, the General Principles of Civil Law, the Matrimonial Law, and the Law on the Guarantee of Women's Rights and Interests, all prohibit any form of violence against women, perpetrated by whomever.

 

The revised Criminal Law of 1997 amended and added the offences of the abduction, selling and buying of women, and toughened sanctions for such offences. The revised 2005 Law on the Guarantee of Women's Rights and Interests reiterates the prohibition of domestic violence, of any discrimination against, any abuse, abandonment and injury of women. The judicial interpretations of the Supreme People's Court enhanced the operability of the legal provisions. In recent years, measures to protect women's rights have been developed across the country; successive operations targeting the kidnapping of women and children have been carried out by public security organs; and centers of shelter, training and rehabilitation for rescued victims been set up, with remarkable results. In parallel, China considers the fight against the abduction of women and children an important area of international cooperation, undertakes bilateral police collaboration and criminal justice assistance with many countries. To implement the 2008-2012 National Plan of Action against the abduction of women and children, made public by the State Council in 2007, an office against the abduction of women and children has been set up within the Ministry of Public Security.

 

With regard to the prevention and suppression of domestic violence against women, China in its judicial practice underlines that civil and criminal liabilities be determined according to the degree of violence, and accords active legal assistance to victims. In collaboration with NGOs and by means of interventions, awareness-raising, education and training, crime reporting center, injury diagnosis services, haven for women, and hotlines on domestic violence, the government provides female victims with various services comprising counseling, shelter, medical and psychological help, etc.

 

China endeavors to set up and improve legal aid mechanisms, including complaint letter and visit services, legal counseling, timely treatment of women's complaints, and legal, medical, psychological rehabilitation services. In addition, China is considering setting up a victim rescue and help system, female victims being a major consideration in the concept.

 

At the same time the government also attaches great importance to protecting the rights of female criminals and suspects. The detention and management of male and female criminals are strictly separated, the latter being directly managed by female officers, and taken care of by female doctors. They are allowed to spend holidays with their under-age children, receive legal instructions, schooling and vocational training suitable to their physical and mental characteristics, and take part in various cultural and sports activities.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

Over the past few years, thanks to efforts of the international community and governments of all countries, considerable results have been achieved in preventing and combating violence against women. The Chinese government will as usual, within the UN framework, enhance cooperation in criminal matters with other countries and relevant international organizations, contribute in concert with the world community to effectively controlling and combating various crimes, including violence against women.

 

Thank you Mr. Chairman.