Hundreds Sign Manifesto for Human Rights in China

Catholic Online ^ | 12/11/08

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group of 303 Chinese citizens signed ‘Charter 08’, a declaration to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In it they call on the government of China to transform the country’s authoritarian and corrupt regime along democratic lines, respectful of human rights, including religious freedom.

“Charter 08” follows the path laid down by “Charter 77”, a manifesto signed by Czech and Slovak intellectuals and activists, who in 1977 called on the government of Czechoslovakia to respect human rights.Writer and playwright Václav Havel, who went on to become president of the Czech Republic after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the break-up of the Soviet Empire, was one of the signatories.

In the case of ‘Charter 08’ many signatories are Chinese academics but many others are ordinary people, from the business world to rural communities. Their goal is not to create a political party but rather to start a movement of cultural transformation to radically change China.

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The Manifesto calls on the authorities to radically change the country’s oppressive system and guarantee human rights including freedom of religion.

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Its not going to happen today. But an idea whose time has come cannot be stopped and prisons and armies are not going to prevent it from being attained. Freedom is in the human heart.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus