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Governments Voice Strong Concern Over Situation in Tibet

The Tibet Post, 17 June 2011

Dharamshala: – Various governments on Thursday, 16th June expressed their deep concern about the current situation in Kirti Monastery in Ngaba county of Eastern Tibet. The delegates of various countries were all gathered at the UN Human Rights Council where discussions are being held under agenda Item 4 which deals with Human rights situations that requires the Council’s attention.

Delegate’s statements

The Hungarian delegate on behalf of the European Union said that “EU is deeply concerned at the deterioration in the human rights situation in China. The EU calls on the Chinese authorities to immediately end arbitrary arrests and disappearances, to clarify the whereabouts of all disappeared persons and to release all of those who have been detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression. The EU also calls on the Chinese authorities to refrain from the use of force in dealing with the situation at the Kirti monastery, and to allow independent observers to the site.”

The delegate from The United States of America said that “China’s growing number of arrests, detention of lawyers, bloggers, activist, religious believer and their families and use of extra legal measures undermines the rule of law” going on to state that “The government restricts freedom of religion and expression including criminalizing dissent on the internet. The government has reportedly removed 300 Buddhist monks from the Kirti Monastery.”

The Belgian delegate from Brussels said that “Human right in China has not improved since last month. Internet censorship has increased and obstacle placed on foreign media workers in Beijing. Belgium appeals Chinese authorities to end these measures; to clarify on peoples disappeared of the event which took place in the Kirti Monastery. Chinese authorities should explain themselves on that. Belgium urged china to ratify ICCPR.”

Continuing with this trend, the Swedish delegate further enhanced the point by saying rather directly that “Sweden concerns on China’s setback on the rule of law, freedom of expression and increased harassment of Human Rights defenders. Sweden called on China to refrain from use of force at Kirti Monastery; allow independent observer to visit the site and to allow all Tibetans to exercise their rights without hindrances.”

Finally the delegate from the Czech Republic said that “Czech Republic is concern about tense situation in the Kirti Monastery in Sichuan Province in China. We strongly call upon government to establish an environment where human rights such as freedom of expression and assembly and rights of national minorities including Uyghur and Tibetans are fully respected”.

The Tibetan Standpoint.
Mr Tenzin Samphel KAYTA, later spoke on behalf of The Society for Threatened Peoples, Non-violent Radical Party and International Educational Development highlighted the grave human rights situation in Tibet.

In his statement Mr. KAYTA recalled many international statuettes like the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities resolution 1991/10 entitled, “Situation in Tibet” adopted on 23 August 1991 in which the expert body alerted the international community and expressed “concerned at the continuing reports of violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms which threaten the distinct cultural, religious and national identity of the Tibetan people” and called upon the Government of the People’s Republic of China “fully to respect the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the Tibetan people.”

He spoke of the many Tibetans who had lost their lives during 2008 Uprisings on the Tibetan Plateau for exercising their rights of free speech and assembly.

In response to this The Committee against Torture and the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions urged the Chinese authorities to conduct investigations to bring those responsible to justice.

In its last follow-up communication to the Chinese authorities, the Committee said: “The State party should conduct a thorough and independent inquiry into the reported excessive use of force, including against peaceful demonstrators and notably monks, in Kardze county, Ngaba county and Lhasa. The State party should conduct prompt, impartial and effective investigations into all allegations of torture and ill-treatment and should ensure that those responsible are prosecuted. The State party should ensure that all persons who were detained or arrested in the aftermath of the March 2008 events in the Tibetan Autonomous Region and neighbouring Tibetan prefectures and counties have prompt access to an independent lawyer and independent medical care and the right to lodge complaints in a confidential atmosphere, free from reprisal or harassment.”

KAYTA spoke of the double standards of the Chinese Government when he quoted from the Chinese constitution saying that “”Article 35 of China’s constitution guarantees right to freedom of opinion and expression; freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration. However, in practice, the Chinese authorities have been targeting and harassing human rights defender, journalists and bloggers by using spurious and vague national security related charges to silence their critic views.”

The Growing voices of concern for the human rights situation in Ngaba and Tibet as a whole comes as a breath of fresh air, for those hoping for a concerted effort on the part of the international community to step up pressure on the Chinese government, to uphold and protect the Human rights of the Tibetans and other oppressed minorities.