2008年12月9日初稿，12月22日改定
附录：征求意见文本
零 八 宪 章
今年是中国立宪百年，《世界人权宣言》公布60周年，“民主墙”，诞生30周年，中国政府签署《公民权利和政治权利国际公约》10周年。在经历了长期的人权灾难和艰难曲折的抗争历程之后，觉醒的中国公民日渐清楚地认识到，自由、平等、人权是人类共同的普世价值；民主、共和、宪政是现代政治的基本制度架构。抽离了这些普世价值和基本政制架构的“现代化”，是剥夺人的权利、践踏人性、摧毁人的尊严的灾难过程。21世纪的中国将走向何方，是继续这种威权统治下的“现代化”，还是认同普世价值、融入主流文明、建立民主政体？这是一个不容回避的世纪抉择。
1840年的中西冲突揭开了中华大地上“数千年未有之大变局”的序幕。洋务运动开始了器物层面的模仿，戊戌变法尝试了制度更新，辛亥革命在表面上埋葬了延续2000多年的君主专制，建立了亚洲第一个共和国。但是囿于当时内忧外患、社会纷争的特定历史条件，共和政体只是昙花一现，这片土地旋即陷入了军阀割据。器物模仿和制度更新的失败，推动国人深入到对文化病根的反思，遂有以“科学与民主”为旗帜的“五四”新文化运动，但由于内战频繁和日本入侵，中国政治民主化历程被迫中断。抗日战争胜利后的中国再次开启宪政历程，但国共内战的结果却让中国陷入了现代极权主义的深渊，1949年建立的“新中国”，名义上是“人民主权”，实质上是一党专制。中共垄断了所有政治、经济和社会资源，制造了反右、大跃进、文革、六•四、打压民间宗教活动和维权运动等一系列人权灾难，致使数千万人失去生命，国家付出了极为惨重的代价。
二十世纪后期的“改革开放”，使中国摆脱了毛泽东时代的普遍贫困和绝对极权，民间财富和民众生活水平有了大幅度提高，个人的经济自由和权利得到部分恢复，公民社会开始生长，民间对人权和政治自由的呼声日益高涨。执政者也在进行走向市场化和私有化的经济改革的同时，开始了从拒绝人权到逐渐承认人权的转变。1998年中国政府签署了两个重要的国际人权公约，2004年把“尊重和保障人权”写进宪法，今年又承诺制订和推行《国家人权行动计划》。但是，这些政治进步迄今为止大多停留在纸面上，有法律而无法治，有宪法而无宪政，仍然是有目共睹的政治现实。执政集团继续坚持维系专制统治、排拒政治变革，由此导致官场腐败，法治难立，人权不彰，道德沦丧，社会两极分化，经济畸形发展，自然环境和人文环境遭到双重破坏，公民的自由、财产和追求幸福的权利得不到制度化的保障，各种社会矛盾不断积累，不满情绪持续高涨，特别是官民对立日益激化，正在酿造着灾难性的暴力冲突，现行体制的落伍已经到了非改不可的地步。
当此决定中国未来命运的历史关头，让我们廓清100多年来的现代化历程，重申如下基本价值理念：
自由：自由是普世价值的核心之所在。言论自由、出版自由、信仰自由、集会自由、结社自由、迁徙自由、罢工自由和游行示威的自由等等都是自由的具体体现。自由不昌，则中国距文明尚远矣。
人权：人权不是国家赐予，而是每个人与生俱来就应享有尊严和自由。保障人权，既是政府的首要目标和公共权力合法性的基础，也是“以人为本”的内在要求。中国的历次政治灾难都与执政当局对人权的无视密切相关。人是国家的主体，国家服务于人民，政府为人民而存在。
平等：每一个个体的人，不论社会地位、职业、性别、经济状况、种族、肤色、宗教或政治信仰，其人格、尊严、自由都是平等的。必须落实法律面前人人平等的原则，落实公民的社会、经济、文化、政治权利平等的原则。
共和：共和就是“大家共治，和平共生”，就是多种利益成分、不同社会集团、多元文化与信仰追求的群体，在平等参政、公平竞争、共同议政的基础上，进行共同治理。
民主：最基本的涵义是人民主权和民选政府。民主具有如下基本特点：（1）政权的合法性来自人民，政治权力来源于人民；（2）政治统治经过人民选择，（3）公民享有真正的选举权，各级政府的主要政务官员必须通过定期的竞选产生。（4）尊重多数人的决定，同时保护少数人的基本人权。一句话，民主使政府成为“民有，民治，民享”的现代公器。
宪政：宪政是通过法律规定和法制来保障宪法确定的公民自由和权利的原则，限制并划定政府权力和行为的边界，并提供相应的制度设施。
在中国，帝国皇权的时代早已一去不复返了；在世界范围内，威权体制也日近黄昏；公民应该成为真正的国家主人。祛除依赖“明君”、“清官”的臣民意识，张扬权利为本、参与为责的公民意识，实践自由，躬行民主，尊奉法治，才是中国的根本出路。藉此，我们本着负责任与建设性的公民精神对国家政制、公民权利与社会发展诸方面提出如下基本主张：
1、根据前述价值理念修改宪法，删除现行宪法中不符合主权在民原则的条文，使宪法真正成为人权的保证书，真正成为公共权力的许可状。
2、构建分权制衡的现代政府，保证立法、司法、行政三权分立。确立法定行政和责任政府的原则，防止行政权力过分扩张；政府应对纳税人负责；公务员应保持政治中立；在中央和地方之间建立分权与制衡制度，中央权力须由宪法明确界定授权，地方实行充分自治。
3、各级民意机关和立法机构由直选产生，立法秉持公平正义原则，实行立法民主。
4、司法应超越党派，实行司法独立，保障司法公正；设立宪法法院，建立违宪审查制度，维护宪法权威。尽早撤销严重危害国家法治的各级党的政法委员会，避免公器私用。
5、实现军队国家化，提高军队职业化水平。军人应效忠于宪法，效忠于国家，在政治上保持中立，政党组织应从军队中退出。
6、切实保障人权，维护人的尊严。设立对最高民意机关负责的人权委员会，防止政府滥用公权侵犯人权，尤其要保障公民的人身自由，任何人不受非法逮捕、拘禁、传讯、审问、处罚，废除劳动教养制度。
7、全面推行民主选举制度，落实一人一票的平等选举权。行政首长的直选应立即开始在县市省和国家各级推行。定期自由竞争选举和参选行政官员是不可剥夺的基本人权。
8、废除现行的城乡二元户籍制度，落实公民一律平等的宪法权利，保障公民的自由迁徙权。
9、保障公民的结社自由，将现行的社团登记审批制改为备案制。在中国现行国情下，特别要以宪法和法律规范政党行为，取消一党垄断执政特权，确立政党活动自由和公平竞争的原则，实现政党政治正常化和法制化。
10、和平集会、游行、示威和表达自由，是宪法规定的公民基本自由，不应受到执政党和政府的非法干预与违宪限制。
11、落实言论自由、出版自由和学术自由，保障公民的知情权和监督权；制订《新闻法》和《出版法》，废除现行《刑法》中的“煽动颠覆国家政权罪”条款，杜绝以言治罪。
12、保障宗教自由与信仰自由，实行政教分离，宗教信仰活动不受政府干预。审查并撤销限制或剥夺公民宗教自由的行政法规、行政规章和地方性法规；禁止以行政立法管理宗教活动。废除宗教团体（包括宗教活动场所）必经登记始获合法地位的事先许可制度，代之以无须任何审查的备案制。
13、取消服务于一党统治、带有浓厚意识形态色彩的政治教育与政治考试，推广以普世价值和公民权利为本的公民教育。
14、确立和保护私有财产权利，实行自由、开放的市场经济制度，保障创业自由，消除行政垄断；设立对最高民意机关负责的国有资产管理委员会，合法有序地展开产权改革，明晰产权归属和责任者；开展新土地运动，推进土地私有化，切实保障公民尤其是农民的土地所有权。
15、确立民主财政和保障纳税人的权利。建立权责明确的公共财政制度构架和运行机制，建立各级政府合理有效的财政分权体系；对赋税制度进行重大改革，以降低税率、简化税制、公平税负。非经社会公共选择过程，民意机关决议，行政部门不得随意加税、开征新税。通过产权改革，引进多元市场主体和竞争机制，降低金融准入门槛，为发展民间金融创造条件，使现有金融机构充分发挥活力。
16、建立覆盖全体国民的社会保障体制，使国民在教育、医疗、养老和就业等方面得到最基本的保障。
17、保护生态环境，提倡可持续发展，为子孙后代和全人类负责；明确落实国家及其各级官员必须为此承担的相应责任；发挥民间组织在环境保护中的参与和监督的作用。
18、以平等、公正、宽容的姿态参与维持地区和平与发展，塑造一个负责任的大国形象。维护香港、澳门的自由制度。在自由民主的原则下，寻求海峡两岸之间平等谈判与合作互动的方案。以大智慧探索各民族共同繁荣的可能途径和制度设计，最终在联邦制的架构下建立中华共同体。
19、实现转型正义，为历次政治运动中遭受政治迫害的人士及其家属恢复名誉，给予国家赔偿；释放所有政治犯和良心犯，释放所有因信仰而获罪的人员；成立真相调查委员会，查清历史事件的真相，厘清责任，伸张正义；在此基础上寻求社会和解。
中国作为世界大国，作为联合国安理会五个常任理事国之一和人权理事会的成员，理应为人类和平事业与人权进步做出自身的贡献。但令人遗憾的是，在当今世界的所有大国里，唯独中国还处在威权主义政治生态中，并由此造成连绵不断的人权灾难和社会危机，影响到中华民族自身发展乃至于对整个人类文明的贡献——这一局面必须改变！政治民主化变革不能再拖延下去。
为此，我们本着勇于践行的公民精神，公布《零八宪章》。我们希望所有具有同样危机感、责任感和使命感的中国公民，不分朝野，不论身份，以各自的方式积极参与公民运动，共同推动中国社会的伟大变革，以期早日建成一个自由、民主、宪政的国家，实现国人百余年来锲而不舍的追求与梦想。
宪章首批签名者152人：
（略）
以下待确认：
（略）
何愚 摘自中文笔会：张裕：刘晓波 笔会和《零八宪章》的几个稿本
Charter 08 (I)
First draft, December 9, 2008, revised, December 22
Appendix: Text for Comment
Charter 08
(Draft for Comment)
This year marks the centennial of China’s constitutional establishment, the 60th anniversary of the promulgation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 30th anniversary of the founding of the “Democracy Wall” (initiated and organized by Mr. Zhu Yufu in 1988), and the 10th anniversary of the Chinese government’s signing of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. After enduring a long period of human rights disasters and a difficult and tortuous struggle, awakening Chinese citizens have increasingly come to realize that freedom, equality, and human rights are universal values shared by humanity; and that democracy, republicanism, and constitutionalism are the fundamental institutional framework of modern politics.”Modernization” stripped of these universal values and the fundamental political framework is a disastrous process that deprives people of their rights, tramples upon human nature, and destroys their dignity. Where will China head in the 21st century? Will it continue this “modernization” under authoritarian rule, or will it embrace universal values, integrate into mainstream civilization, and establish a democratic system? This is an unavoidable choice of the century.
The Sino-Western conflict of 1840 marked the beginning of a major transformation unprecedented in thousands of years across China. The Westernization Movement initiated imitation at the level of artifacts, the Hundred Days’ Reform attempted institutional renewal, and the Xinhai Revolution superficially ended the monarchy that had lasted for over 2,000 years, establishing Asia’s first republic. However, due to the specific historical conditions of internal and external troubles and social strife, the republican system was short-lived, and the land soon fell into warlordism.The failure of imitating objects and updating systems pushed the Chinese people to reflect deeply on the root causes of cultural problems, which led to the May Fourth New Culture Movement with “science and democracy” as its banner. However, due to frequent civil wars and the Japanese invasion, China’s political democratization process was forced to be interrupted.After the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, China once again embarked on the path of constitutional government. However, the outcome of the Chinese Civil War plunged China into the abyss of modern totalitarianism. The “New China” established in 1949 nominally advocated “popular sovereignty,” but in reality was a one-party dictatorship. The CCP monopolized all political, economic, and social resources, inflicting a series of human rights disasters, including the Anti-Rightist Movement, the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, the June 4th Incident, and the suppression of popular religious activities and rights protection movements. These resulted in the loss of tens of millions of lives and a heavy price for the country.
The “reform and opening up” of the late 20th century lifted China out of the widespread poverty and absolute totalitarianism of the Mao Zedong era. Private wealth and living standards increased significantly, individual economic freedoms and rights were partially restored, civil society began to grow, and public demands for human rights and political freedoms grew louder. While the ruling party was carrying out economic reforms toward marketization and privatization, it also began a shift from a rejection of human rights to a gradual recognition of them.In 1998, the Chinese government signed two important international human rights conventions. In 2004, it incorporated “respecting and protecting human rights” into its constitution. This year, it pledged to develop and implement a national human rights action plan. However, these political advances have largely remained on paper. The political reality remains that there are laws without the rule of law, and a constitution without constitutional governance.The ruling group continues to insist on maintaining autocratic rule and reject political change, which has led to official corruption, difficulty in establishing the rule of law, lack of human rights, moral decline, social polarization, abnormal economic development, and double damage to the natural and human environments. Citizens’ freedom, property and right to pursue happiness are not institutionally guaranteed. Various social contradictions continue to accumulate, and dissatisfaction continues to rise. In particular, the confrontation between officials and the people is becoming increasingly intensified, which is brewing catastrophic violent conflicts. The backwardness of the current system has reached a point where it must be changed.
At this historic juncture that will determine China’s future, let us clarify the course of modernization over the past century and reaffirm the following fundamental values:
Freedom: Freedom is the core of universal values. Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of belief, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, freedom of movement, freedom to strike, and freedom of demonstration are all concrete manifestations of freedom. Without freedom, China remains far from civilization.
Human rights: Human rights are not granted by the state; rather, they are the dignity and freedom that every person is born with. Protecting human rights is not only the government’s primary goal and the foundation of the legitimacy of public power, but also an inherent requirement of a “people-centered” approach. China’s past political disasters have been closely linked to the ruling authorities’ disregard for human rights. People are the core of the state; the state serves the people, and the government exists for the people.
Equality: Every individual, regardless of social status, occupation, gender, economic status, race, skin color, religion, or political beliefs, is equal in personality, dignity, and freedom. The principle of equality before the law and the equal social, economic, cultural, and political rights of citizens must be upheld.
Republic: Republic means “joint governance and peaceful coexistence”, which means that groups with various interests, different social groups, diverse cultures and beliefs will jointly govern on the basis of equal participation in politics, fair competition and joint discussion of politics.
Democracy: Its most basic meaning is popular sovereignty and democratically elected government. Democracy has the following basic characteristics: (1) The legitimacy of the regime comes from the people, and political power originates from the people; (2) Political rule is chosen by the people; (3) Citizens enjoy genuine electoral rights, and key government officials at all levels must be elected through regular elections. (4) The decisions of the majority are respected, while the basic human rights of the minority are protected. In short, democracy makes the government a modern public institution “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
Constitutionalism: Constitutionalism is the principle of safeguarding the citizens’ freedoms and rights established in the Constitution through legal provisions and legal system, limiting and defining the boundaries of government power and behavior, and providing corresponding institutional facilities.
In China, the era of imperial power is long gone; worldwide, authoritarian systems are also nearing their twilight years. Citizens should become the true masters of their country. Eliminating the subject mentality of relying on “wise rulers” and “honest officials,” promoting a civic consciousness based on rights and responsibility, practicing freedom, practicing democracy, and upholding the rule of law are the fundamental path forward for China. Therefore, in the spirit of responsible and constructive citizenship, we propose the following fundamental propositions regarding the country’s political system, citizens’ rights, and social development:
1. Amend the Constitution in accordance with the aforementioned values and remove provisions in the current Constitution that are inconsistent with the principle of popular sovereignty, so that the Constitution truly serves as a guarantee of human rights and a true license for public power.
2. Build a modern government with checks and balances, ensuring the separation of legislative, judicial, and executive powers. Establish the principles of statutory administration and responsible government to prevent the excessive expansion of executive power. The government should be accountable to taxpayers; civil servants should maintain political neutrality. Establish a system of separation of powers and checks and balances between the central and local governments. Central power must be clearly defined and authorized by the Constitution, and local governments should exercise full autonomy.
3. All levels of public opinion organs and legislative bodies shall be directly elected, and legislation shall uphold the principles of fairness and justice, practicing legislative democracy.
4. The judiciary shall transcend partisanship, exercise judicial independence, and guarantee judicial fairness. A constitutional court shall be established, and a system of constitutional review shall be established to safeguard the authority of the Constitution. Party political and legal committees at all levels that seriously undermine the rule of law in the country shall be abolished as soon as possible to prevent the misuse of public resources for private purposes.
5. The military shall be nationalized and its professionalism enhanced. Soldiers shall be loyal to the Constitution and the nation, and remain politically neutral. Political parties shall withdraw from the military.
6. Effectively protect human rights and uphold human dignity. A human rights commission accountable to the highest public authority should be established to prevent the government from abusing public power and violating human rights. Citizens’ personal freedom must be guaranteed, and no one should be subjected to illegal arrest, detention, summons, interrogation, or punishment. The reeducation-through-labor system should be abolished.
7. Fully implement a democratic electoral system and ensure the equal right to vote, with one person, one vote. Direct elections of administrative heads should be implemented immediately at the county, city, provincial, and national levels. Regular, free, and competitive elections for and participation in administrative office are inalienable fundamental human rights.
8. Abolish the current dual urban-rural household registration system, implement the constitutional rights of equal opportunity for all citizens, and safeguard citizens’ right to free movement.
9. Guarantee citizens’ freedom of association by replacing the current registration and approval system for social organizations with a filing system. Given China’s current national conditions, it is particularly important to regulate the behavior of political parties in accordance with the Constitution and laws, eliminate the one-party monopoly on ruling privileges, establish the principles of free party activities and fair competition, and achieve the normalization and legalization of party politics.
10. Freedom of peaceful assembly, procession, demonstration, and expression are fundamental civil liberties enshrined in the Constitution and should not be subject to illegal interference or unconstitutional restrictions by the ruling party and government.
11. Implement freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and academic freedom, safeguarding citizens’ rights to know and oversight; formulate a Press Law and a Publishing Law, abolish the “incitement to subvert state power” provision in the current Criminal Law, and put an end to criminalizing people for their speech.
12. Guarantee religious freedom and freedom of belief, implement the separation of religion and state, and ensure that religious activities are free from government interference. Review and revoke administrative regulations, rules, and local laws that restrict or deprive citizens of religious freedom; prohibit the use of administrative legislation to manage religious activities. Abolish the prior authorization system that requires religious groups (including religious venues) to obtain legal status and replace it with a filing system that does not require any review.
13. Abolish political education and examinations that serve one-party rule and are heavily tinged with ideology, and promote civic education based on universal values and citizens’ rights.
14. Establish and protect private property rights, implement a free and open market economic system, guarantee freedom of entrepreneurship, and eliminate administrative monopolies; establish a State-owned Assets Management Commission accountable to the highest public opinion organ, carry out property rights reform in a legal and orderly manner, clarify property ownership and responsibilities; launch a new land movement, promote land privatization, and effectively protect the land ownership of citizens, especially farmers.
15. Establish democratic finance and safeguard taxpayer rights. Establish a public finance system framework and operational mechanism with clear responsibilities and powers, and establish a rational and effective system of fiscal decentralization at all levels of government. Carry out major reforms to the tax system to reduce tax rates, simplify the tax system, and ensure fair tax burdens. Administrative departments may not arbitrarily increase or impose new taxes without a public choice process and a resolution by public opinion bodies. Through property rights reform, introduce diversified market players and a competitive mechanism, lower financial entry barriers, create conditions for the development of private finance, and enable existing financial institutions to fully revitalize themselves.
16. Establish a social security system covering all citizens, ensuring they receive the most basic protections in education, healthcare, retirement, and employment.
17. Protect the ecological environment, promote sustainable development, and take responsibility for future generations and all of humanity. Clearly define the responsibilities that the state and its officials at all levels must assume in this regard. Furthermore, leverage the role of non-governmental organizations in participating in and overseeing environmental protection.
18. Participate in maintaining regional peace and development with an attitude of equality, fairness, and tolerance, and cultivate the image of a responsible major power. Uphold the free systems of Hong Kong and Macao. Under the principles of freedom and democracy, seek solutions for equal negotiation and cooperative interaction across the Taiwan Strait. With great wisdom, explore possible paths and institutional designs for the common prosperity of all ethnic groups, ultimately establishing a Chinese community within a federal framework.
19. Achieve transitional justice, restore the reputation of those who suffered political persecution in previous political movements and their families, and provide state compensation; release all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, and release all those convicted for their beliefs; establish a truth-finding committee to ascertain the truth of historical events, clarify responsibilities, and uphold justice; and seek social reconciliation on this basis.
As a major world power, one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, and a member of the Human Rights Council, China should make its own contributions to the cause of human peace and the advancement of human rights. Unfortunately, among all the major powers in the world today, China alone remains trapped in an authoritarian political environment. This has resulted in continuous human rights disasters and social crises, impacting the development of the Chinese nation and even its contribution to human civilization as a whole. This situation must change! Political democratization cannot be delayed any longer.
To this end, we, in the spirit of courageous civic action, publish Charter 08. We hope that all Chinese citizens, regardless of government or opposition, who share a common sense of crisis, responsibility, and mission, will actively participate in the civic movement in their own ways and jointly promote the great transformation of Chinese society, with the goal of establishing a free, democratic, and constitutional nation at an early date, and realizing the unwavering pursuit and dream of the Chinese people for over a century.
The first 152 signatories of the Charter are:
(omitted)
The following are pending confirmation:
(omitted)
He Yu, Excerpted from the Chinese PEN Center: Zhang Yu: Liu Xiaobo, PEN Center, and Several Drafts of Charter 08
Editor: Zhong Ran Proofreader: Feng Reng
Translation: tomorrow
