China's Judicial Protection of Human Rights

China has devoted great efforts to improving judicial protec- tion of human rights in the past 30 years.It has ratified the International Covenant on Economic,Social and Cultural Rights, signed but yet to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and become a state party to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.In March 2004,the 10th National People’s Congress adopted at its second plenary session the amendments to the Constitu- tion,writing"the state respects and pro- tects human rights"into the Constitution, declaring that China will use legal means to protect and safeguard human rights. Over the past few years,Chinese judicial organs have strengthened human rights protection in the area of administration of justice,making judicial activities more humane and more respectful for human dignity and ensuring that the rights of per- son and property rights of citizens are well protected.