From: G.COLOGNA@LINK-BZ.comlink.apc.org

Source: fourniel@ERE.UMONTREAL.CA

For Immediate Release

December 19, 1995

Contacts:

Rinchen Dharlo

Debra Ladner

Office of Tibet (212-213-5010)

Increasing International Condemnation of

China over Panchen Lama Issue

Matter raised in UN General Assembly

Several countries throughout the free world have voiced their condemnation of China's announcement of a rival Panchen Lama, disregarding the legitimate 11th Panchen Lama recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

At the UN General Assembly's Third Committee, many member countries expressed their outrage over China's blatant disregard for the Tibetan people's rights. At the Third Committee, which began on November 21, and is in session until December 22, 1995, the Representative of Spain, on behalf of the European Union, said, "We have been particularly concerned about the human rights situation in Tibet and the threat to the cultural, religious, and ethnic identity of Tibetans. We call on the Chinese authorities to respect the freedom of religion of Tibetans, including in regard to the selection of the Panchen Lama." The Irish Representative, in his statement, expressed concern at China's "clear attempts to undermine the ethnic, cultural and religious identity of Tibet, including through interference in the selection of the Panchen Lama." Others, including Canada, expressed concern at China's denial of freedom of expression and religion. Although they did not specify names, the allusion to the Tibetan issue was clear

.

Commenting on the developments in the Third Committee, Rinchen Dharlo, Representative of H.H. the Dalai Lama for the Americas said, "It is clear that the international community will not remain silent over China's continued denial of the fundamental rights of the Tibetan people."

The United States Senate passed a resolution, urging the Chinese government to support the Dalai Lama's selection of the Panchen Lama. The resolution further calls on the U.S. Administration to "aggressively push" for a resolution on China and Tibet an the upcoming session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva. The Australian Parliament and the European Parliament have also passed specific resolutions criticizing China's interference in Tibetan religious rights. Also parliamentarians from Lithuania, Hungary and Estonia have issued statements criticizing China's move.

Furthermore, many editorials have appeared in newspapers across the United States condemnig China's abusive policies and lack of religious tolerance. Articles and/or editorials have appeared in the following papers: The San Francisco Examiner, The New York Times, The World Journal, The Fresno Bee, The Boston Globe, The Portland Press Herald, and The Kansas City Star.

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