CHINA FAILS TO PREVENT UNITED NATIONS DISCUSSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN TIBET

Geneva, 8 March 1994

China today suffered a serious political setback at the United Nations, when its Human Rights Commission refused to pass a "motion for no action" proposed by China in response to the introduction of a resolution by 26 countries criticizing China's human rights practices in China and Tibet. The UN Commission session was adjourned until the morning because of the late hour (well past midnight). Voting on the resolution itself will therefore take place in the morning.

Every year since 1992 the Tibetan Government In Exile and the Chinese Democracy Movement have worked to persuade governments to pass such a resolution. But in the past, despite strong support from the European Union, Costa Rica and support from the US and Japan, China has always managed to muster enough votes among the Asian, African and Latin American countries to prevent the resolution from even coming to the floor for debate, by means of a "motion for no action." This year, for the first time China's attempt was defeated.

The first resolution in the UN human Rights bodies was the resolution on "the Situation in Tibet" passed by the UN Sub Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities in 1991. That resolution, initiated at the request of the Tibetan Government in Exile, also put the question of human rights violations in Tibet and in China on the agenda of the UN human Rights Commission for the first time, in February 1992.

When a resolution was first introduced at the Commission in 1992, China's motion for non-action was supported by 27 votes to 15 votes, that is, by a margin of 12 votes. Today's vote defeating China's non-action motion represented a giant turn away from China on this issue.

This is particularly embarrassing for Beijing, because the resolution brought to the floor of the Commission and debated extensively specifically mentions Tibet and expresses concern at the "inadequate protection of the distinct cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious identity of Tibetans." China has been lobbying hard to convince governments that its behavior and policies in Tibet are legitimate and correct. The vote today demonstrates that the international community is no longer prepared to ignore what is happening in Tibet and in China and that it is prepared to openly discuss, for the first time in the UN Human Rights Commission the human rights record of a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council.

The Chinese motion for non-action was defeated narrowly (22-22 with 9 abstentions). This result reflects the heavy pressure which China has put on countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Last Friday the AFP reported that Beijing was spending a fortune to "buy" votes and promised a number of developing countries financial assistance and development projects, and is putting very heave pressure on others in order to secure sufficient votes to avoid international condemnation.

In its statement, China accused the Tibetans and a number of the resolution's sponsors to want to "split" China and create an independent Tibet. The United Kingdom stressed that there was reason to be concerned about the human rights situation and that the UN HRC would be failing in its duties if it did not consider the resolution on its merits. Geraldine Ferraro, leading the US delegation spoke strongly in support of those struggling for human rights and democracy in China and urged Commission members to vote against China's motion.

China's defeat on the "no action" motion is particular painful to the aging leaders in Beijing, because it signifies, as was pointed out by the leader of the British delegation, an end to the immunity so far enjoyed by China in discussions on human rights in China and particularly in Tibet. It can be interpreted as a weakening of power by China to force its will on other countries. This, is turn, can weaken the present regime's standing in China itself.

VOTING

IN FAVOR OF CHINA'S NO ACTION PROPOSAL 22

Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cameroon, China, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritania, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Togo, Zimbabwe

AGAINST CHINA'S NO ACTION PROPOSAL 22

Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, UK, USA

ABSTENTIONS 9

Benin, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Malawi, Mauritius, Mexico, Korea, Venezuela