Tibet Bureau - Geneva

Geneva, 22 March - This afternoon, the Portuguese Foreign Minister, Mr. Jaime Gama, in a statement to the 56th UN Commission on Human Rights, speaking on behalf of the European Union said: "The European Union is committed to the existing dialogue on human rights with China. We acknowledge progress made in fulfilling basic needs of the Chinese population. However, we remain concerned about the lack of progress still prevailing in other areas. The use of the death penalty, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, harsh sentences imposed on political dissidents, persecution of religious minorities, non-ratification of the UN human rights international covenants and insufficient cooperation with the UN human rights mechanisms are relevant examples of fields where swift action needs to be taken." The following countries aligned themselves with the statement: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey.

During the morning session of the Commission, Mr. Joseph Deiss, the Swiss Foreign Minister said: "The human rights situation in China, for instance, has not progressed in a positive way. Switzerland remains very concerned about the severely repressive measures taken against minorities and religious groups, including the Tibetans, whose most fundamental rights are regularly restricted and even flouted. Unfortunately, it is also the case of other citizens and democratic movements seeking to exercise their rights and to participate in the political life of China.

The delegation of China made two statements asking the Commission to "discard" cold war mentality and pursue dialogue and cooperation rather than confrontation. In a statement on the issue of "organisation of the work of the session", the Chinese statement said: The Commission should be a forum of dialogue and cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights instead of a battlefield of ideology. We hope that this session of the Commission will pursue the principle of dialogue and cooperation and conduct calm and in-depth discussion on human rights issues concerned by international community. In the new century, the Commission should take a new face and discard all "Cold War" practices. Domestic political strife should not be brought into the Commission to obstruct the normal work of the Commission and affect the cooperation between member states. We are pleased to see that more and more countries stand for dialogue and cooperation and are opposed to confrontation."

In the second statement, the Chinese delegation spoke in reaction to the Report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presented in the afternoon to the Commission by Mrs. Mary Robinson. Mr. Liu Xinsheng, the Alternative Representative of the Chinese delegation said: "The Chinese government has always been positive and sincere in conducting exchanges and cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Following the visit by Mrs. High Commissioner's visit to China in 1998 and the visit to China by the experts team from the OHCHR in 1999, the Chinese government, in cooperation with the OHCHR this year, has successfully organised the 8th Workshop on Regional Cooperation for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Asia-Pacific Region >from 1 to 3 March in Beijing. Mrs. Robinson was once again invited to attend and address the opening ceremony. Relevant departments of the Chinese government frankly and thoroughly exchanged views with her on conducting bilateral cooperation on human rights. Her visit has been a success."

The first NGO statement highlighting Tibet will be delivered this afternoon or tomorrow morning on the item dealing with the question of self-determination. Dr. Michael van Walt will deliver the statement.

The Tibetan delegation at the 56th session Commission, yesterday attended a Round Table discussion at the United Nations which dwelt on the preparations for the World Conference on Racism scheduled to be held in South Africa in September 2001. The conference chaired by Mrs. Mary Robinson was also marking the World Day on the Elimination of Racism.

According to the draft time-table presented yesteday to the Commission by the Chairperson Ambassador Shambu Ram Simkhada of Nepal, the vote on country resolutions will take place on 17 April. The draft time-table is yet to be adopted by the Commission.

Day to day happenings at the Commission and other valuable information on the current session in Geneva can be viewed at the website: www.unhchr.ch

The Tibetan delegation presently attending the Commission is Mrs. Chungdak Koren, Mr. Ngawang C. Drakmargyapon and Ms. Dolma Choephel (TYC).

[ Homepage ] [ 56th UN Commission on Human Rights ]



This site is maintained and updated by The Office of Tibet, the official agency of His Holiness His Holiness the Dalai Lama in London. This Web page may be linked to any other Web sites. Contents may not be altered.
Last updated: 24-Mar-2000