Dharamshala: - Over one million people stand with Tibet to 'Say NO' to China's Election to the United Nations Human Rights Council in just one week. The five Tibetan NGOs said the 'council vote is a critical test for every nation's commitment to human rights and Tibetan Political Review.'
Dharamshala: - Over one million people stand with Tibet to 'Say NO' to China's Election to the United Nations Human Rights Council in just one week. The five Tibetan NGOs said the 'council vote is a critical test for every nation's commitment to human rights and Tibetan Political Review.'
"Tibetans, Tibet supporters and over one million global citizens are urging United Nations Member States to show their commitment to human rights and to Tibet by voting "No" to China's bid for re-election to the UN Human Rights Council on November 12," the groups said in a joint statement.
Their efforts received a boost, with a petition by online advocacy giant Avaaz that has attracted over one million signers in just one week. On November 12, Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women's Association, Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet, National Democratic Party of Tibet and Students for a Free Tibet-India, staged a protest at McLeod Ganj in Dharamshala as a part of the global campaign to urge the 193 UN missions and the Foreign Ministries worldwide to vote "No" to China's bid for re-election to the UN Human Rights Council.
"The worsening situation in Tibet where there has been more than 120 self-immolations clearly highlights China's continuous violation of human rights. Despite China's limitless Human rights violation in Tibet, the World Report 2013 produced by the New York based Human Rights Watch underlines the reasons why China does not deserve to be re-elected to the Human Rights Council. The report states China still executes more prisoners than the rest of the world combined," said Tashi Dolma, president of Tibetan Women's Association.
Joint Statement by Tibetan NGOs stated that the 'members of the Human Rights Council are expected to 'uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights' and voting nations are urged to take into account the contribution of candidates to the promotion and protection of human rights.'
"Re-electing China as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council is a shame to what this institution stands for. All indications from Human Rights organizations have shown that China has failed to improve its Human Rights record. Until China proves that they are serious and respect human values, social justice and equality for all including Tibetans, the United Nations should hold them accountable and keep them off the Human Rights Council," says Tenzing Jigme, President of Tibetan Youth Congress.
On October 22, during China's 2nd Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, 13 UN member states expressed concern about Tibet, with Switzerland specifically linking the Human Rights Council elections with China's failure to arrange a visit for High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay. In response, China's diplomats verbally attacked the Dalai Lama and blamed the "Dalai clique" for the self-immolations in Tibet. As China's UPR report was adopted, Ambassador Wu Haitao referenced President Xi Jinping's vision of the "Chinese Dream" saying "We are working hard for the realisation of the Chinese dream, which is also a Human Rights dream."
"The Chinese dream is a Tibetan nightmare. UN member states must use this opportunity to secure commitments on human rights improvements in Tibet, including granting immediate access to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights," said Tenzin Jigdal, Program Director, Students for a Free Tibet, India, "given China's failure to uphold even the most basic human rights in Tibet, it is unfathomable that any nation would vote in its favor."
"During the tenure of their membership in the Human Rights Council, the human rights condition in China has deteriorated dramatically. The Communist authoritarian rule in China has repressed, tortured and intimidated the freedom and rights of its people and the Tibetans, Uyghur and the Mongolians. Their presence in the UN Human Rights Council is a true humiliation and insult to the significance of freedom and human rights that it propagates," said Passang Tsering, President of Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet.
The statement also added: "Tibetans, Tibet activists and Avaaz members will coordinate a high profile delivery of the million-signature petition to the United Nations headquarters in New York, Colorful demonstrations highlighting China's abuses in Tibet and urging governments to cast a 'No' vote on China were also planned in the lead up to and during the UNHRC election. Further Solidarity rallies will be taking outside of Foreign Ministries around the world."
Tibetan rights groups and online advocacy organization Avaaz held a colorful demonstration with giant “Tibetan skeleton” puppets and a massive “Xi Jinping caricature” in front of the UN headquarters In New York, on November 11. They have submitted the petition to the 193 UN missions in New York and to Foreign Ministries worldwide, as follow up to extensive lobbying in capitals and at UN.
