French celebrities urge EU action to condemn China at UN
As the date of voting at the 56th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva approaches, several French celebrities, including former minister Alain Bombard, photographer Henri Cartier Bression, actress Françoise Hardy, and theater director Ariane Mnouchkine, have signed an Appeal to the French Government to support the motion presented by the United States which condemns Chinese human rights abuses in Tibet ad China.
Given the increasingly critical human rights situation in Tibet, which is well-documented, it should be a priority of the European Union to give a clear message to the Chinese authorities, the signers of the letter say. They go on to emphasize France¹s responsibility in the decision, as the next country to assume the Presidency of the EU.
"Without fearing pressure from Beijing, nor remaining satisfied by its promises, France should, without delay, publicly announce its decision to support the motion," the letter states.
APPEAL
As the UN Commission of Human Rights currently meets in Geneva for its 56th session, the Council of Ministers refuses to announce an EU position regarding the violations of human rights in China and Tibet.
Based on a number of reports, notably, of Mrs. Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the US Government has decided to forward a motion condemning China. France which will soon assume the Presidency of the European Union, cannot remain silent in the face of thousands of arrests of democrats and religious practioners as well as increased repression in Tibet and Eastern Turkestan. Without fearing pressure from Beijing, nor remaining satisfied by its promises, France should, without delay, publicly announce its decision to support the motion. This motion whose wording is moderate will be presented at Geneva to highlight the lack of progress in the area of human rights in China.
As Europeans prepare to present the draft Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, a single document of commonly shared values to the Council of Europe during the French EU presidency in December 2000, it would be highly inconsistent if Europe does not now speak publicly in Geneva about the critical situation of human rights in China and Tibet.
ANDRE Michèle (former Minister for Women affairs)
BOMBARD Alain (former Minister )
CARRIÈRE Jean Claude (author, script writer)
CARTIER BRESSON Henri (photographer)
CIXOUS Hélène (author)
Tibetan Community in France
DELORME Christian ( Catholic priest )
DUTEIL Yves (singer )
Foundation Alexandra David-Neel
GALL France (singer)
GLUCKSMANN André (philosopher)
HARDY Françoise (singer )
Ligue of Human Rights, France.
LONSDALE Michael (theater player)
MALAVOY Christophe (actor)
MENDÈS-FRANCE Marie Claire (wife of former French Prime Minister Pierre Mendès France)
MNOUCHKINE Ariane (producer)
PELT Jean-Marie (President of the European Institute of Environment )
REVEL Jean François (philosopher and author )
RICARD Matthieu (author and Buddhist monk)
SYLLA Fodé (former President of SOS Racism)
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Last updated: 14-Apri-2000