< FREEDOM FOR TIBET/DEMOCRACY IN CHINA ! - #56 >
Newsletter on the campaigns of the Radical Party for the freedom of Tibet and the democracy on China.
"I truly believe that individuals can make a difference in society. Since periods of great change such as the present one come so rarely in human history, it is up to each of us to make the best use of our time to help create a happier world".
Tenzin GYATSO, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, 1992
Number 56 - April 15th, 1997
Editors office: Massimo Lensi, Dorottya u. 3.III.em6 - 1051 Budapest (H)Tel. +36-1-266.34.86 - 266.09.35 Fax. +36-1-11.87.937
E-mail: M.Lensi@agora.stm.it WWW-URL http://www.agora.stm.it/pr - Telnet: Agora.stm.it
Distribution; Alberto Novi, rue Belliard 89, Rem 508, 1047 Brussels (B)Tel: +32-2-2304121 - Fax: +32-2-2303670
Published in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Hungarian, Croatian and Rumanian
________________________
UN COMMISSION IN GENEVA:
CHRONICLE OF AN ANNOUNCED DEFEAT. THE DIVIDED RESPONSIBILITY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ON HUMAN RIGHTS.
As we had announced prior to the commencement of the works of the UN Commission in Geneva, the European Union has, unfortunately, confirmed its inability to find a common internal ground on the question of human rights in China. France was the first to renounce a coherent policy that would condemn the grave and systematic violation of human rights by the Peking authorities, and was followed in its decision by Bon, Rome, and Madrid, all of whom opted for a policy of "constructive dialogue." This is a euphemism which actually stands for "renunciation policy" and
"politics of selfishness." It is a grave episode in the deficits of federalism and of the absence of a European presence, as well as a confirmation of the slow but constant process of internal division.
It is an episode upon which to reflect: reflect on how we will proceed in our actions, in particular in those nations where a politics of "two truths" is operative, where a politics of human rights and democracy and of markets that must be conquered at any cost. In particular, in regards to France and Italy, we can no longer practice economics after a serious reflection upon the difference that exists between the consistency of Parliamentary support for concrete initiatives in favor of Tibet or human rights in China and the foreign policy that is practiced by those nations. It is an episode that forces us to reflect upon the urgency of relaunching the federalist European battle and, most of all, the battle for the birth of true policies of foreign affairs and common security.
We must be prepared to react to this episode. This is the sense one gains from the work which the Transnational radical Party has continued in recent weeks, from the work done for the European Parliament's approval of a first serious resolution on Eastern Turkestan and the defense of Hong Kong, to the important resolution of the Geneva Commission concerning a universal moratorium on capital punishment.
These are minor yet important steps towards a stronger mobilization directed at Western Governments and the international organizations so that the Peking government initiate a series of reforms in the area of civil liberties and human rights; in other words, for democracy in Tibet, Inner Mongolia, Eastern Turkestan, and all of China.
One thing can be done immediately: re-contact the mayors who have supported the "Flag for Tibet" campaign and activate with them the procedure to name a street or plaza of their city for Tibet.
Good work.
___________________
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
RESOLUTION ON EASTERN TURKESTAN
On April 10th the European Parliament approved, for the first time, a resolution condemning the continued violation of human rights in Eastern Turkestan (Xinjiang) on behalf of the Peking regime. During a press conference organized by deputies Karl HABSBURG-LOTHRINGEN (PPE) and Olivier DUPUIS (ARE), at the commencement of the Parliamentary initiative, Erkin ALPTEKIN, President of UNPO (Organization for the non-represented nations and peoples) and President of one of Eastern Turkestan's principal organizations, delivered a pressing appeal to the European Parliament for the support of the causes of the people of Inner Mongolia, Tibet, and Eastern Turkestan, all of whom are oppressed by Peking.
At the end of the conference the secretary of the TRP, Olivier DUPUIS, declared: "As we are confronted with a European Council that is increasingly unable to establish a common position regarding human rights in China - the decision of the Human Rights Commission in Geneva is exemplary - the European Parliament has, instead, made itself the representative of the citizens of Europe by adopting this resolution, and demonstrating that, in regards to China, it is possible to take a unified stand and express with one voice our judgement on the violation of human rights."
The complete text of the resolution is on Page Two
_____________________
A FLAG FOR TIBET 1997
The "Flag for Tibet" campaign has concluded with a result equal to that obtained last year. On March 9-10, 563 mayors in 21 nations, spanning three continents, raised the flag of Tibet on the flagstaff of the communities administered by them, and in doing so expressed a concrete political solidarity with the struggle of the Tibetan people. It is a result, that, when considered objectively, leaves a somewhat bitter taste in our mouths. Many analyses, reasons, and justifications could be found, but in this moment we prefer, as announced in the previous issue, to dedicate our energy to the "One plaza, one street for Tibet" campaign. This campaign is also addressed to the mayors, and asks that they dedicate a plaza or a street to Tibet, and it should begin with the 563 mayors who participated in the flag raising. It is an opportunity to contact them and establish a continuous political project for the freedom of occupied Tibet.
* Results of the "Flag for Tibet 1997" campaign
Conf. '96 New. '97 Totals
---------------------------------------------------------------
Australia - 21 21
Austria - 10 10
Belgium 21 17 38
Bulgaria - 12 12
Canada - 2 2
Croatia 1 2 3
Czech Republic 4 14 18
France 58 104 162
Germany 9 71 80
Holland 1 - 1
Hungary 25 13 38
Italy 45 53 98
Lithuania 2 - 2
Luxembourg 7 9 16
Macedonia - 2 2
Poland - 1 1
Slovenia - 5 5
Spain 6 8 14
Switzerland 1 35 36
United Kingdom - 1 1
United States - 2 2
Voivodina 1 - 1
---------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 179 382 563
* Among the cities which supported the campaign: Frankfurt and Hanover (Germany), Brisbane (Australia), Innsbruck (Austria), Charleroi (Belgium), Quebec (Canada), Osijek (Croatia), Saint-Tropez, Grenoble, and Strasburg (France), Veszprem (Hungary), Rome (Italy), Vilnius (Lithuania), Tetovo (Macedonia), Kidricevo (Slovenia) Bernex (Switzerland), Kanisza (Voivodina).
< TIBET CHINA TELEX >
_____________
DEATH PENALTY
UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
On April 3rd, the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva, in open contrast of the negative vote of the General Assembly in 1994, adopted a resolution which endowed the member nations with the responsibility of moving towards a moratorium on capital punishment. The abolitionist front, directed by France and Italy with the support of 45 other nations, did not break under the joint pressure of the United States, China, and the Islamic nations. The initiative was promoted to the Commission by the NGO delegation of the Transnational Radical Party in Geneva.
__________
COSTA RICA
APPEAL TO THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UN
The collection of Parliamentary signatures for the appeal to the UN Secretary General so that he may receive the Dalai Lama at the earliest possible time continues. Rinchen Darlo, President of "Tibet Fund," has communicated that thanks to deputy Mario Carazo, 56 of the 57 members of his Parliament signed the appeal. The total number of signatures collected to date has risen to 1,426 senators and deputies who, by this medium, request that the Secretary General of the UN take every possible diplomatic means to initiate negotiations between China and Tibet under
the aegis of the United Nations.
_____
ITALY
MANIFESTATION IN PISA
On April 9th dozens of militant radicals staged a manifestation in Pisa for the freedom of occupied Tibet and for democracy in China on the occasion of the visit of Qiao Shi, the President of the Chinese Parliament. Police forces attempt to obstruct the manifestation by seizing dozens of Tibetan flags and stopping the participants. A request for a Parliamentary investigation on this incident has been deposited with the Italian Minister of Internal Affairs. The city of Pisa holds the Dalai Lama amongst its honorary citizens.
____________________________
FINAL BUDGET FOR GENEVA 1997
we are still unable to present the final budget of Geneva 1997 because we have not yet received the full account of expenses for the March 9-10 manifestation in Geneva. We will publish the full account as soon as we receive these figures.
_____________
TIBETAN FLAGS
Tibetan flags can be ordered through the TRP office in Brussels.
They come in two sizes:
- 90 cm x 130 cm ($10 USD)
- 150 cm X 210 cm ($30 USD)
Special prices are reserved for Tibet Support Groups and other organizations who order more than ten flags. Call 32-2-230.41.21 (Attention: Tiziana Falletti)
___________
SECOND PAGE
Resolution on the human rights situation in Eastern Turkestan (Region of Xinjiang)
The European Parliament,
- having regard to its previous resolutions on human rights violations in China,
A. deeply concerned by the increasing instability in eastern Turkestan (Region of Xinjiang),
B. alarmed at the arrests carried out by the Chinese authorities on 20 March in eastern Turkestan, which is predominately Islamic, following ethnic unrest,
C. alarmed also by the execution of many Uighurs by the Chinese authorities which triggered riots during which hundreds of other people were arrested,
D. denouncing the use of violence, such as bombs, by whichever side,
E. noting that in Eastern Turkestan (the region of Xinjiang) freedom of religion is severely repressed and that last year over 100 Koranic schools were closed down and 180 Muslim clerics, professors and students arrested,
F. having regard to the concerns expressed by the United Nations Committee regarding racial discrimination against the Uighur people,
G. noting that ever since the massacre in Tiananmen Square in 1989, the EU has traditionally backed resolutions on China in the UN Human Rights Commission, and deploring the lack of a common EU policy on China in Geneva this year,
1. Condemns the policy pursued by the People's Republic of China which is designed to eradicate the culture of the Uighur people and suppress the practice of their Islamic faith, a policy which includes the indiscriminate use of the death penalty, population transfers and population control through a birth policy aimed at changing the ethnic composition of this region;
2. Calls on the Chinese authorities to release forthwith all prisoners who were arrested for allegedly taking part in the riots but have not been charged with any crime corresponding to international standards and to guarantee the right to a public hearing, the right to defence and the right to be represented by a lawyer, as provided for in the modified Chinese Code of Criminal Procedure in force since 1 January 1997;
3. Calls on the Chinese Government to start a political dialogue with all parties involved in the eastern Turkestan (Region of Xinjiang) issue, in order to find a politically negotiated settlement of the various demands of the Uighur people;
4. Urges the Chinese government to allow journalists and human rights' monitors access to Eastern Turkestan (the Xinjiang region);
5. Calls on the Commission and the Council to bring pressure to bear on the authorities of the People's Republic of China to ensure that respect for human rights and fundamental rights is guaranteed both on Chinese territory and in the annexed territories;
6. Deplores the fact that the Council has not yet managed to adopt a common position aimed at ensuring the adoption by the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva of a resolution on the human rights situation in China, Tibet, inner Mongolia and Eastern Turkestan (the Xinjiang region) and calls on the Member States to support the resolution already tabled;
7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Government of the People's Republic of China, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, Uighur organizations in both Europe and Kazakhstan and the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the European Union.
