Geneva, 18 April - The Tibetan Government in Exile expresses its deep concern that the fifty-sixth session of the UN Commission on Human Rights today allowed China to block discussion on its human rights record in Tibet and China. The countries who voted in favour of Chinaís misuse of a procedural motion of the "no-action" on the U. S. sponsored resolution on China was a sign of the lack of concern on the plight of all the victims of human rights violations in Tibet, Eastern Turkestan and China . "We believe the Commission vote gave a clear go ahead to Beijing to use the forum to block substantive discussion on human rights violations being committed by China," said Mr. T. C. Tethong, Minister for Information and International Relations of the Tibetan Government in Exile.

The Tibetan Government in Exile is also of the view that the failure of the European Union and like-minded Western countries to co-sponsor the resolution on China at this Commission is contradictory to their human rights policy. We call on all the member-countries of the Commission on Human Rights to not to allow China to block discussion on its human rights record in its future sessions. This approach by the UN highest human rights forum only means that a permanent member of the Security Council can use it to evade scrutiny on its human rights record. The Tibetan Government in Exile, nevertheless, is encouraged that many countries, non-governmental organisation and thematic mechanisms have expressed to the Commission their concerns on the persistent violations of human rights in Tibet being committed by Beijing.

The Tibetan Government in Exile supports dialogue to resolve human rights issues confronting the Chinese authorities. However, this dialogue should bring about tangible results in the day to day lives of the people concerned. This has not been achieved to date. Therefore, Western governments, particularly the European Union, now need to reassess their China policy if they are sincerely concerned about bringing substantive improvements in the human rights situation in Tibet, Eastern Turkestan and China.

In this regard, the stand taken by EU and like-minded Western countries at this Commission, is regrettable, particularly in the light of any visible progress both in bilateral and multilateral human rights dialogue with China. Chinaís continued defiance not to ratify the two UN human rights Covenants and its unwillingness to co-operate with thematic mechanism of the UN Commission on Human Rights are some of the indicators here.

One of the main reasons why Tibetans have resorted to a non-violent freedom struggle is because of the strong international support to our path and their concern on Tibet. In this respect, the indifference of the European Union and like-minded Western countries, on the China resolution, can send the wrong message to the Tibetan people. If some unfortunate situation arises in Tibet, China alone cannot be held responsible.

The Tibetan Government in Exile calls upon the member-countries of the Commission on Human Rights to seriously reassess their human rights policy on China. The failure to adopt a resolution on China at this Commission can be a signal to the Chinese authorities that its disregard to the obligations on international human rights is acceptable to the international community. "The failure of the Commission to adopt a resolution on China only encourages Beijing to implement a more repressive human rights policy in Tibet. It is unfortunate that a UN body is sending this message to Beijing," said Mr. T. C. Tethong, Minister for Information and International Relations of the Tibetan Government in Exile.

On Tibet, the resolution expresses concern "at increased restrictions on the exercise of cultural, linguistic, religious and other freedoms of the Tibetans" and calls upon the Government of China "to preserve and protect the distinct cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious identity of Tibetans."

Note: The vote on the "no-action" motion was 22 in favour of China, 18 against, 12 Abstention and Romania Absent)

[ 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: 18-Aopril-2000