NANJING - The Third International Seminar on Human Rights and Museology opened in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, on Tuesday, where scholars discussed the protection of peace and human rights ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre.

The two-day seminar was attended by nearly 100 human rights researchers and representatives of museums from 18 countries and regions, including Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea and South Africa.

Topics discussed included "Missions and responsibilities of museums and memorials in engaging in the education on peace and human rights" and "Approaches and methods of intensifying international exchanges and cooperation to construct common memories for humanity".

"In the face of threats and challenges from the development of human society and the need to protect human rights, we should learn the lessons of history and firmly safeguard world peace and stability," said Wang Guoqing, vice-chairman of the China Foundation for Human Rights Development.

On Dec 13, 1937, Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then China's capital, and began a slaughter lasting more than 40 days. About 300,000 civilians and Chinese soldiers, who had laid down their arms, were murdered.

The seminar was hosted by the foundation along with the China Museums Association and the Jiangsu Association for International Cultural Exchange.

Xinhua