BEIJING, Jan 23 – China has established a sound legal framework to combat terrorism over the past four decades, ensuring that all counterterrorism measures in the country are law-based, according to a new white paper.
Furthermore, China sees respecting and protecting human rights as an underlying principle in improving its legal framework and practices in the field of counterterrorism, according to the white paper titled China’s Legal Framework and Measures for Counterterrorism, which was released by the State Council Information Office on Tuesday.
China, which has long faced threats of terrorism, has endeavored to gain a deeper understanding of law-based counterterrorism, summarize its underlying dynamics and identify appropriate countermeasures, the white paper said. Drawing on foreign experience, the country has formulated counterterrorism laws, improved its legal framework and consistently applied these laws, it said.
These moves have provided legal safeguards for China’s ramped up efforts in combating terrorism, the white paper added.
Terrorist activities have been clearly defined in the Counterterrorism Law, which was passed on Dec 27, 2015. The definition of such activities is consistent with the principles held by international conventions, the white paper said.
Meanwhile, China has made consistent efforts to upgrade the counterterrorism provisions of relevant laws, including its Anti-Money Laundering Law, Cybersecurity Law and the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, to strengthen coordination among the laws, close legal loopholes and improve areas of weakness in counterterrorism practices.
Besides building a legal framework to tackle terrorism, the county has attached great importance to promoting strict, impartial and procedure-based law enforcement, and ensuring impartial administration of justice and effective protection of human rights, the white paper said.
The responsibilities of law enforcement and the judiciary in handling terrorism-related cases have been clarified. They are required to exercise their statutory authority and powers to ensure the accurate and effective enforcement of the law.
In handling cases involving terrorist offenses and crimes, the judiciary gives equal weight to safeguarding the basic rights of citizens, preserving social order, and protecting the rights of victims and interested parties, as well as suspects, defendants and convicts.
According to the white paper, China’s legal framework works well both in preventing terrorist activities and punishing perpetrators. Since 2014, the nation has continued to take tough action against violent acts of terror and punish criminals who have plotted such activities. It has also foiled most terrorist schemes in the making and has markedly improved people’s sense of security.
In fighting terrorism, the international community should support diverse law-based actions, reject double standards and oppose the politicization of related issues because such actions have severely hampered the global effort to fight against terrorism under the rule of law, weakened the foundations of cooperation and reduced operational effectiveness, it said.
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