From: Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamsala

The creation of universally accepted and binding standards of human rights as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenants of Human Rights is essential in today's shrinking world. We need to think in global terms, because the effects of one nation's actions are experienced far beyond its borders.

(H.H the Dalai Lama)

December 10, 1995 celebrates the 47th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On this day in 1989 His Holiness the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel peace prize.

Human Rights day must be used as a day of reflection, to work out what can be done for future peace and universal harmony. On this day, let us not forget the plight and sufferings of Tibetans living inside Tibet for whom this day represents expectations for a better future. The future of Tibet is important for the future of the world.

Below is a Recap of the Human Rights Situation in Tibet for 1995.

China Politicises the Panchen Lama Selection Process

The search and recognition of Panchen Lama's reincarnation is a religious matter.

H.H. THE DALAI LAMA

* His Holiness the Dalai Lama announced the reincarnation of the late Panchen Lama (the second highest spiritual authority in Tibet who passed away in 1989), on May 14th this year.

* 6-year old Gendun Choekyi Nyima, was proclaimed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to be the new Panchen Lama reincarnation.

* The Chinese authorities in Lhasa recently announced a rival Panchen Lama, a six year old boy from Nagchu near Lhasa, claiming that His Holiness had no right to announce the Panchen Lama reincarnation.

* We are concerned for the safety of Gendun Choekyi Nyima who has been declared " missing" for the past five months. The Chinese authorities have failed to reveal his whereabouts.

MONASTERIES AND NUNNERIES IN TIBET STORMED AND NUNS AND MONKS EXPELLED

* Monasteries and nunneries in Tibet were raided and many monks and nuns were expelled for their involvement in the independence movement inside Tibet.

* Nalanda monastery in Phenpo Lhundup county was raided twice in the last week of February 1995 resulting in the arrest of 40 monks. Following the raid, a political reeducation "work team" expelled 64 monks.

* Chinese authorities expelled 24 novices and the abbot and a teacher of Yamure hermitage near Lhasa for engaging in "splittist" activities after Chinese police stormed the hermitage.

* Then again, on the night of July 12/13th, a single police raid on the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery resulted in a reported arrest of thirty two monks of the monastery.

TIBETAN REFUGEES HANDED BACK TO CHINESE AUTHORITIES BY NEPALESE BORDER POLICE

* This year many Tibetans who have tried to escape through Nepal for fear of political persecution or for a better education in exile were handed over to the Chinese authorities by Nepalese police at Dram, the border area of Nepal and Tibet.

* Since April 1995, the Nepalese border police have deported over more than two hundred Tibetan refugees in fourteen groups including a five-year old child. The situation is getting very serious with more deportations taking place every month.

* Those Tibetan refugees who are being deported face, the threat of torture, imprisonment and the denial of economic and political rights.

* These deportations were carried out despite strong protests from the U.S, Australia, and the U.N's High Commission for refugees (UNHCR) in Nepal.

* Nepal has signed the UN Convention on Torture, which forbids deportation to countries where torture is rife.

TIBETAN INDEPENDENCE DEMONSTRATIONS AND ARBITRARY ARRESTS ON THE RISE

* The most number of arrests and demonstrations were recorded this year, since the 1989 demonstrations in Tibet.

* At least twenty three demonstrations are known to have taken place this year, sixteen in February and March alone.

* The right to freedom of expression and opinion continues to be violated in Tibet.

DEATHS IN CUSTODY & ILL TREATMENT OF TIBETAN PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE four deaths caused by torture and ill treatment in custody were reported this year. their crime? peacefully advocating for their right to live in a country free of chinese military occupation.

* Sherab Ngawang, a novice nun from Michungri nunnery died in May this year at the young age of fifteen. She was repeatedly tortured and ill treated whilst in detention.

* Tashi Tsering died in May this year at the age of 55 due to torture and medical neglect in Drapchi prison.

* Gyaltsen Kelsang died on February 20, this year at the young age of 24 due to medical neglect whilst serving a term in Drapchi prison.

* Sonam Tashi died on August 10 this year due to severe torture which resulted in multiple injuries.

TIBETAN PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE PHUNTSOK NYIDRON WINS REEBOK HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD

* Phuntsok Nyidron, a 27-year old nun from Michungri Nunnery in Tibet, who is serving a prison sentence of 17 years in Tibet's most notorious Drapchi Prison, was awarded the Reebok Human Rights Award at a New York Ceremony five days ago. His Holiness's representative in New York received the award on her behalf.

* Phuntsok's prison sentence was doubled after she sang peaceful songs in prison in front of prison guards for Tibet's independence and for His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

* After the Reebok Human Rights award ceremony a "Call to action campaign" was initiated to call for the release of Phuntsok. As a sign of support we ask you to write letters of appeal to the Chinese government, and to your government, asking for the immediate release of Phuntsok Nyidron.

* She is a symbol of freedom of expression, an extraordinary woman who continues to non violently advance the cause of the human rights at the cost of her own personal freedom and safety.

FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN: Tibetan Women Harassed China did not live up to its beautiful promises, made while signing the agreement with the U.N. The mismanagement, chaos and harassment that characterised much of "Beijjing 1995" cannot be forgotten by the international community.

: Tsering Norzom, President of Tibetans Women's Association October 1995.

* This year the Fourth World Conference on Women was held in Beijing from September 4-15, 1995

* Tibetan women from India were denied visas to attend the conference

* Nine Tibetan women with passports from democratic countries such as Canada, Australia and America attended the NGO conference but were constantly under surveillance and were harassed by Chinese security and Tibetan delegates chosen by China.

GENDUN RINCHEN ESCAPED AND ARRIVED SAFELY IN INDIA

* The 1992 best guide award recipient in Tibet, Mr. Gendun Rinchen escaped and arrived safely in India on May 19, 1995. He was accused of being a counter-revolutionary and was arrested on the night of May 13, 1993.

* He was released last year after wide scale campaigning by Amnesty International and the European parliament for his release.

Human Rights Desk

Department of Information & International Relations

For more detailed information on the human rights situation in Tibet please contact the Human Rights Desk, Department of Information & International Relations, Gankyi.