Jean Eric Rakotoarisoa, former president of Madagascar's High Constitutional Court, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Antananarivo, Madagascar, July 5, 2023. (Photo by Sitraka Rajaonarison/Xinhua)
ANTANANARIVO, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The right to development is one of the most important and fundamental human rights, said Jean Eric Rakotoarisoa, former president of Madagascar's High Constitutional Court, in a recent interview with Xinhua.
Having visited China twice in 2008 and 2023, Rakotoarisoa, who is a professor of constitutional law at the University of Antananarivo, said that one of the great successes of human rights governance in China is that it has "significantly reduced poverty in China in a relatively short period of time."
"One billion people can be fed without any problems, and there are no food shortages. I think that this experience is something essential that China could share with Madagascar," Rakotoarisoa said.
Noting that "the priority (of human rights) is really the right to development," he said. "If we are in a situation of poverty, of under-development, we will never really be able to enjoy other human rights, in particular economic and social rights, such as the right to work, the right to health, the right to education, etc."
The Malagasy academic recalled his visit to the countryside in China in 2008, saying he was impressed by the development in rural areas, such as the construction of houses, schools and hospitals.
"China has managed to develop rapidly by focusing on the essential needs of the population," said Rakotoarisoa.
Meanwhile, China has ensured its rapid economic development while keeping environmental protection in mind. "This is sustainable economic development," he said. "We can achieve sustainable development, lift people out of poverty, and guarantee people's fundamental rights if there is good governance."
Rakotoarisoa, however, said he believes that sustainable development cannot be achieved without "cooperation with different countries," and expressed his interest in the Global Development Initiative proposed by China.
"The philosophy of this initiative is not to limit itself to the development of one country, but to promote the development of all countries. This can be positive for countries that are still developing, such as Madagascar, as well as many African countries, which have great economic potential," he said.
Underlining the need for cooperation and global solidarity to promote common development, Rakotoarisoa said that modernization does not necessarily mean Westernization. "Development must be based on the history of each country, and the way the development is carried out must take account of the history and culture of each country," he stressed.
"You can't copy one country's model directly onto another. You can take examples. You can take experiences from other countries. But you have to respect the specificity of each country, the culture of each country," Rakotoarisoa said. ■