29 March, Geneva - The 56th UN Commission on Human Rights is now debating one of the most important items of its agenda, "The question of human rights and fundamental freedoms." This is the item under which resolutions tabled on country situation will come for vote on 18 April.

A large number of NGOs strongly criticised China for its human rights failures in China, Tibet and Eastern Turkestan. More NGO statements are expected to be delivered before the Commission concludes its debate on this topic. Earlier during the day a number of government statements also expressed concern on the human rights situation in China. We will publish the references on China and Tibet from these statements in the next update.

Tomorrow, the 30 March, will see a lot of Tibet events both inside and outside the United Nations in Geneva. At 10.00 hours Mr. Richard Gere, Chairman of International Campaign for Tibet and Mr. Lodi G. Gyari, Special Envoy of H. H. the Dalai Lama will appear at "Power Breakfast" meeting with journalists accredited at the UN office in Geneva.

Around the same time, a Tibetan Vigil will be held outside the UN building as organised by the Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Tibetan organisation in the country. The Vigil will conclude at 17.00 hours. A small vigil is also expected to be held at the Permanent Mission of the European Union.

Between 13.00 -15.00 hours, a panel discussion on the topic, "Human Rights and Dialogue for Tibet" will be held inside the UN as organised by Worldview International Foundation. This is a parallel meeting NGOs with ECOSOC status can organised during the Commission on Human Rights. The speakers at the Tibet discussion on Tibet include Mr. Lodi G. Gyari, Mr. Richard Gere, Ms. Mo Li Hua, a Chinese scholar from Sweden and Dr. Michael van Walt, Professor of International Law.

At 18.00 hours, Mrs. Chungdak Koren, Representative of H. H. the Dalai Lama in Geneva and Worldview International Foundation will hold a Reception in honour of the speakers at the Tibet panel discussion at the delegate's Restaurant at the UN. Government delegations and NGOs attending the Commission have been invited to the reception.

In this update, we produce the text of two statements on Tibet delivered by Ms. Dolma Choephel and Ms. Mo Li Hua to the 56th UN Commission on Human Rights today.

"Oral statement by Ms. Dolma Choephel on behalf of International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY)*

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Last updated: 30-Mar-2000