International Tibet campaign
22 October 2013
Eleven countries raised their voices to urge China to improve the human rights of Tibetans at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, he 22 October. Delegates cited lack of religious freedom, minority rights and access of UN officials to Tibet and called on China to resume dialogue with the Dalai Lama, during the oral examination in the second Universal Periodic Review (EPU) China's human rights record.
Wu Hailong, special envoy of the Chinese foreign ministry, addresses the Human Rights Council during the United Nations Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, ayer 22 October.
The questioning represents a broadening and deepening of concern about Tibet since China's previous UPR in 2009, when four countries specifically mentioned Tibet in the Council session. More of 130 Countries spoke about China's human rights record, many very critical, and some, like Zimbabwe, Venezuela and Russia, supporting. Each country had only about 50 seconds to make the statement.
At the end of the session, China dismissed concerns from countries that highlighted concerns about its human rights record. Your complete response to the oral and written questions will be presented on 25 October.
Below are excerpts from the comments on Tibet :
Canada: “Stop the persecution of people for practicing their religion or belief, among them… The Tibetans… and set a date for the visit of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.”.
Czech Republic: “Protect ethnic and religious minorities including Tibetans and Uighurs and stop all disproportionate policies against them while addressing their discontent in non-violent dialogue”.
France: “Given concerns about the human rights situation in Tibet, follow the recommendations that the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief go to this region”.
Germany: “Ensure the democratic participation of members of all ethnic minorities, and allow unrestricted access to all ethnic minorities including Tibet”.
Japan: “Human rights and fundamental freedoms must be ensured for minority groups such as Tibetans and Uyghurs.”. Japan recommends greater efforts to ensure all human rights, including cultural rights for minorities”.
New Zealand: “As a consistent supporter of dialogue to achieve meaningful outcomes that address the interests of all communities in Tibet, “New Zealand recommends that China resume dialogue with Tibet”.
Poland: “Poland notes the joint communications of eight Special Procedures related to alleged systematic attempts to undermine the rights to religious freedom, cultural and expression of the Tibetan Buddhist community. Poland recommends that China take necessary measures to ensure that religious rights, culture and expression are fully observed and protected in every administrative entity in China.”.
Swiss: “Switzerland takes note of China's candidacy for the council. In this context, Switzerland recommends that they facilitate visits by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Special Procedures to Tibetan and Uyghur areas.".
United Kingdom: “We remain concerned about the human rights situation in minority areas including Tibet in particular., regarding the protection of cultural rights and religious freedoms”.
USA: “Protect the rights of ethnic minority groups including Tibetans, Uyghurs and Mongolians, in accordance with the Chinese Constitution and international human rights commitments.”.
Iceland: “Facilitate access of the Special Rapporteur on various human rights issues in Tibetan areas”.
In China's final response, his delegate said: “Some countries in their comments equate security actions to protect civilians with ethnic cleansing.”, and they call certain criminals in China as human rights defenders. Normal judicial procedures are called political persecution. This is the typical case of politicization of human rights.… “The best people to know about human rights in China are the Chinese.”-
