ABSTRACT
Human rights are a key point of contention in the continuing confrontation between the Western tradition exalting individual freedom and Marxist-Leninist totalitarianism which finds granting such rights contradictory to their conception and style of political control. Human rights in the Western tradition are basically rights which the individual possesses at birth. Given its ideological outlook and unchecked by political alternatives, the communist leadership adopts draconian measures when faced with problems which must be resolved for the Party to stay in power. Accordingly, in adopting harsh policies of anti-religious and anti-"spiritual pollution" actions, the leadership has been completely oblivious of human rights concerns. A crucial question to ask in terms of human rights is whether the accused have the right to defense. Westerners, including Beijing supporters, sometimes argue that China's new economic policies are proof of a better human rights situation.
