UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights, in session in Geneva, refused to consider a resolution condemning China's human rights record. The resolution, sponsored by the USA and the European Union, was defeated 27 to 20, with six abstentions, in a procedural motion which prevented it from coming up for debate or a vote. It was the fifth time in six years the Commission has refused to even consider such a resolution. Last year, after a "no action" procedural motion failed, the resolution was voted on, but defeated 21 to 20 with twelve abstentions. This year's vote was characterized by the North-South split which plagues world relations. Supporters of the bill accused the sponsors, particularly France and Germany, of only lukewarm support.

ANOTHER BOMB DETONATED IN TIBET

The Tibetan exile government in Dharamsala reports that a bomb exploded at the residence of Lama Thupten Khedup of Shabten monastery in Tibet. The lama, a loyal supporter of Chinese authorities, was closely involved in the installation of China's rival Panchen Lama. Peaceful protest inside Tibet has recently taken on a more confrontational form. Since June 1995, eight bomb blasts have been reported in Lhasa and other parts of Tibet.

TIBET BANS PICTURES OF DALAI LAMA

Associated Press reports that monasteries, hotels and restaurants in Lhasa were ordered not to display photographs of the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled leader. The police action came two weeks after a ban on public displays of photographs of the Dalai Lama was announced on the front page of the official Tibet Daily, saying the ban would be implemented gradually. In 1994, police confiscated photographs of the Dalai Lama for sale in public markets. Before that, Communist Party members and government officials were forbidden to display the photos. Chinese Communist Party members are required to be atheists. The Tibet Daily report also said authorities will try to convince Tibetans that the Dalai Lama is no longer a religious leader.

COUNTY POLICE CHIEF IN TIBET SENTENCED FOR TORTURE

Reuters, quoting a Chinese daily, reports that a court in Tibet has given a county police chief a suspended jail sentence for torturing a suspect and illegally detaining several others. Qiongda, chief of public security in Gyirong county near Tibet's border with Nepal, was convicted of the brutal beating of a woman he detained in January 1995 at the request of a court official. The conviction of the police chief followed a series of reports by Western human rights organizations that torture of detainees is widespread in the restive Himalayan region.

500,000 CHINESE TO BE MOVED INTO TIBET

Hong Kong's South Morning Post reports that some 500,000 ethnic Chinese are to be moved into Tibet to work in copper mines, raising concern that the region's ethnic makeup will be severely changed. Beijing authorities plan to build several mining towns, each to house about 100,000 migrant workers, according to the newspaper report.

TIBET SUPPLYING LOW PRICE GRAIN TO POOR FAMILIES

Xinhua, China's official news agency, reports that many low income families in the Tibet Autonomous Region are now benefiting from subsidized grain. Recipients include students, herdsmen, residents in remote areas, rural residents who need relief grain, and poor and retired workers.

TULIPS BLOSSOM ON TIBET PLATEAU

Xinhua reports that farmers on the Tibet plateau have started exporting tulip bulbs.

USA TO CONSIDER MFN FOR CHINA

United States Congressional support for Most Favored Nation (MFN) trading status for China, which comes up for its yearly renewal in June, may be on the wane. Agence France Presse reports that presidential candidate Bob Dole is considering abandoning his prior staunch support for MFN in order to appease the right wing of his party and to stake out a position in clear contrast to President Clinton who has previously consistently favored extending MFN for China.

FOREIGN FUNDS FOR TIBET

Xinhua reports that foreign capital in Tibet is expected to grow annually at a rate of 15% between now and the year 2000, when investment is expected to reach $14 million. The greatest increase is expected in processing of Tibet's natural resources.

FLEEING TIBETANS ARRESTED AT NEPAL BORDER

UPI reports that a group of 34 Tibetans fleeing their Chinese dominated homeland were arrested by border police as they tried to enter Nepal. The refugees were trying to cross through Nepal to reach Dharamsala, India. Some of the fleeing refugees were deported back to Tibet for illegal entry into Nepal, the report said.

IRELAND TO EMPHASIZE HUMAN RIGHTS

A white paper on foreign policy from the Irish government, which will hold the Presidency of the European Union from July to December, 1996, has declared a commitment to "place a strong emphasis on human rights issues during the Irish Presidency of the EU".

OFFICIAL VISITS SPARK PROTESTS

An official visit to Paris by Chinese Premier Li Peng inspired over 200 French parliamentarians to issue an appeal on behalf of Tibet. About 200 people were arrested in scattered protests through the three day visit during which France and China signed trade agreements worth $2 billion, according to Reuters. In a separate visit, China's Foreign Minister Qian Qichen was greeted by protests and demonstrations according to CTK, Czech News Agency. And a visit by Qiao Shi, second highest leader of China's Communist party, met with protests in Canada. As China's security chief in 1988, Qiao called for "merciless repression" of protest against Chinese rule in Tibet. Meanwhile, a planned visit by the Dalai Lama to Australia has drawn opposition from Beijing.

POLISH DELEGATION IN CHINA DISCUSSES TIBET

The Polish news agency PAP reports that Polish and Chinese officials met to discuss Polish-Chinese relations. The Polish delegation touched upon the problem of human rights while speaking about ethnic problems of Tibet.

INDIA BARS FILMING OF MOVIES ON TIBET

The Indian government has withheld permission for two proposed films on Tibet to be shot in India, the Indian Express reports. India "shelved" proposals from Martin Scorcese and Jean Jacques Annaud to film Kundun and Seven Years in Tibet, fearing that approval might imperil diplomatic relations with China. Both directors have decided to shoot their films elsewhere.

"EXTINCT" TIBETAN DEER COMES BACK TO LIFE

Reuters reports that a species of red deer believed to have become extinct in Tibet has been rediscovered by U.S. and Chinese scientists on a high plateau in the remote mountainous region. Citing a Xinhua report, Reuters says scientists found herds of the endangered wapiti, or red deer, on a plateau during a two month survey of Sangri county in Tibet. A special nature reserve has been set up in the area to protect the wapiti, previously believed to have vanished from Tibet in the 1950s.