CONGRESSIONAL-EXECUTIVE COMMISSION ON CHINA (CECC)
Mission/Mandate:
The Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) was created by the US Congress in October 2000, with the legislative mandate to monitor human rights and the development of the rule of law in China. The Commission consists of nine Senators, nine members of the House of Representatives, and five senior Administration officials. The Commission's professional staff is made up of US experts on China specialising in religious freedom, labour affairs, Tibet and ethnic minorities, the Internet and free-flow of broadcast and print information, and law and legal reform, including commercial law reform (CECC Website, http://www.cecc.gov/pages/general/overview.php, accessed on 11 February 2008).
The CECC´s mandate comprises (among other duties)
- monitoring the human rights situation in China and actions taken by the Chinese government and official representatives;
- maintaining a list of victims, ie persons believed to be imprisoned or whose human rights have been violated by the Chinese government by any other means;
Target group:
US government, government of China, Chinese people, a broad public interested in China and human rights practices and rule of law in China.
Objective:
The China Relations Act was adopted by the US Congress in 2000, creating the CECC as a legislative mechanism to examine and debate China's human rights record in Congress every year. Furthermore, the CECC seeks to encourage the Chinese government to respect the rights that China's own constitution and laws guarantee to the Chinese people and to bring its governmental practices into conformity with the international human rights standards (CECC Website, http://www.cecc.gov/pages/general/faqs.php, accessed on 18 March 2008).
Funding:
Scope of reporting:
Geographic focus: China.
Thematic focus: Human rights and the rule of law in China: Commercial rule of law, constitutional reform, criminal justice, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, labour rights, property rights, rule of law (administrative law, courts and judicial reform, criminal law, legal aid, legal profession, legislative reform, NGOs, private property, village elections), Tibet, Uigurs, ethnic minorities.
China's government: China's constitutional framework, government leaders, government structure.
Reporting methodology:
“Formal hearings and informal issues roundtables are held. These bring together academics, activists, government officials, business representatives, and other experts on issues related to the Commission's mandate. Information is gathered through frequent missions in China to gather information, meeting Chinese officials, scholars, and analysts, and consult about the human rights situation and the development of the rule of law in China with U.S. diplomats, and others.” (CECC Website, http://www.cecc.gov/pages/general/faqs.php, accessed on 18 March 2008)
Publications include annual reports, newsletters, issue papers, records of hearings, roundtables and press releases.
Publication cycle:
Annual reports and monthly newsletters are published regularly, as well as news and analyses. Hearings and roundtables are held infrequently, approximately between once and six times a year.
Language:
English.
Navigation of website:
Country of origin information can be found via Publications, Virtual Academy and CECC Prisoner Database in the menu bar on the left side of the main-page.
