The Understanding and Interpretation of the ICCPR in the Context of China's Possible Ratification

Chna signed the International Covenant on Civil and PoliticalRights in 1998 and is preparing for its ratification. In consideringthe ratification, the knowledge of how to correctly interpretand understand the Covenant is crucial. In monitoring the implementationof the Covenant, the Human Rights Committee has used variousmechanisms and rules in interpreting the Covenant to meet thespecific object and purpose of the Covenant, and thus developeda rich jurisprudence with respect to the interpretations ofthe Covenant. However, the interpretations of the Covenant bythe Committee have not been adequately taken into account inthe research done by Chinese scholars on the Covenant. The researchon the interpretations therefore must be further strengthenedin order to more effectively facilitate the ratification processin China.