Europe, US, Canada Raise Tibet Issue at UNHRC
Geneva, 28 June: This week the UN Human Rights Council discusses human rights that requires the Council’s attention. The Council held discussions on economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights.
Representative from Human Rights Watch said “since the immolation by two Tibetans outside Lhasa’s Jokhang temple on May 27, 2012, Human Rights Watch has documented other restrictions on freedom of association and assembly. Security forces in Lhasa have been carrying out sharply increased identity checks on the streets of the city. Tibetans from areas where protests have recently taken place, in eastern Tibet, have been ordered to leave not only the capital, but the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) as well. Those expelled are not known to have been accused of any wrongdoing and there are no reports to date of non-Tibetans being expelled. In addition, Lhasa authorities have imposed a ban on public gatherings of more than three people in the city.” Human Rights Watch expressed concern that the progressive denial of rights to Tibetans is likely to further exacerbate tensions in the region, and urges the Chinese government to uphold its obligations on the freedom of association.
During morning session, Mr. Ngawang C. Drakmargyapon made joint statement of 4 UN NGOs. He said that “today the Tibetan people not only continue to suffer from massive human rights violations but their survival as a distinct people is being threatened due to policies implemented by the Chinese authorities, be it on language, cultural expression, religion, development or their way of life as in the case of Tibetan nomads.”
He further urges the Council to consider that the forcible eviction of Tibetan nomads from their ancestral land is actually eliminating a unique Tibetan lifestyle which for centuries had played a crucial role on the Tibetan Plateau.
In the afternoon session, Mr. Tenzin Samphel KAYTA on behalf of Society for Threatened Peoples said that “the Human Rights Council has done great deal to focus on pressing human rights situation but failed to pay attention on human rights crisis unfolding in Tibetan inhabited areas in China since March 2008.
He further said “the Chinese communist work teams are permanently stationed in monasteries and nunneries conducting a “Patriotic re-education” session which disrupts normal religious discourse. Monks and nuns are forced to denounce their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. Those who failed to oblige can be punished with arrests and expulsion.”
In March 2012, among many others, nearly 20 of the 22 monasteries in Diru County in Nagchu Prefecture in Tibet Autonomous Region had to be closed after monks refused to denounce their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama which is mandatory in “patriotic re-education” campaign.
China’s clampdowns have not only confined to monastic institutes.
The Article 4 of China’s Constitution and Autonomy Law (REAL) promulgated in 1984 which guarantees the freedom of all nationalities “to use and develop their own spoken and written languages…”. However, on 2 April 2012, the government authorities in Kardze County have forcibly closed a locally-funded Tibetan school offering classes in the Tibetan language and culture, according to the Indian-based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. The fate of the school’s director, Nyendak and a teacher, Yama Tsering remain unknown.
He said that “Tibetan plateau is engulfed in human flames. So far 41 Tibetans had immolated themselves “ for freedom” and “return of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama” and 31 reported dead. Sadly, the Chinese authorities’ response has been brutal suppression rather than listening to their genuine grievances.”
He urged the Council to call upon China to allow UN independent experts to ascertain situation on ground and implement the invitation to the High Commissioner for Human Rights by receiving Madame Pillay for a fact-finding which devote adequate time in Tibet.
UN member states who spoke on China’s abuses of human rights in particular Tibet are Denmark on behalf of EU, United States of America, Czech Republic, Sweden, Canada and Belgium.
Danish delegate on behalf of the European Union said “Regarding the rights of persons belonging to minorities, the EU is alarmed by the deterioration of the situation in Tibet and Tibetan-populated areas, especially in the Sichaun Province. The EU is gravely concerned by the news of mass arrests and detentions, following more self-immolations in Lhasa and elsewhere, as well as reports that Tibetan Autonomous Region has been closed to foreigners. The EU calls upon the Chinese authorities to ensure that the human rights of persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities, notably Tibet and Xinjiang are fully respected, including their right to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion or belief, as well as their right to enjoy their own culture and use of their own language.”
US ambassador said that China silences dissent through arrests, convictions, forced disappearances, and extralegal detentions; has tightened controls on the Internet; persecutes human rights lawyers; intimidates activists’ families; impedes civil society; and limits religious freedom. Government policies undermine Tibetan and Uighur linguistic, religious, and cultural traditions.
Belgium delegate calls upon Chinese authorities to put an end to disappearance and arbitrary arrest. To clarify fate of all persons who are disappeared. Belgium is very concern at the situation of Tibetan areas where demonstrations have been repressed and immolation of monks reflects the feeling of Tibetan people that they are not fully enjoying cultural and religious rights.
Swedish delegate reiterates its concern about human rights situation in China including setbacks in areas of rule of law and freedom of expression and harassment of human rights defenders.
Chinese authorities heavy handed measures in Tibet an Tibetan populated give caused for concern. Sweden calls on China to ensure rights of person belongs to minorities including in Tibet and Xinjiang are fully respected.
Canadian delegate said that “we remained concerned about issues related to freedom of religion around the world, ….. and policies restricting religious practice in Tibetan areas of China.
Czech delegate said that “in relation to continued tension in Tibetan inhabited areas, we reiterate our calls on the Chineseauthorities to allow unfettered access to all areas for independent monitoring including diplomat and journalist.
French delegate joined with Swiss said that self-immolation in Tibet is of great concern.
In this ongoing Human Rights council, many governments and NGOs representative had not only expressed great concern over the Chinese communist regime’s denial of basic human rights of Tibetan people but also urged Chinese authorities to respect rights of Tibetan and Uyghur and allow unfettered access into all restive Tibet regions.This meeting will continue till 6 July and will be dealing on issues including racism.
http://tibet.net/2012/06/29/europe-us-canada-raise-tibet-issue-at-unhrc/
