Published by: World Tibet Network News, Sunday, Jun 2, 1996

Submitted by Carole Samdup, CTC Montreal

HABITAT REPORT #1

Istanbul, May 31, 1996: The first delegates of the Tibet NGO Delegation (TND) have arrived in Istanbul and have participated in the opening events of the Habitat 11 NGO Forum. The forum is a parallel event to the Second United Nations World Conference on Human Settlements, referred to as "Habitat 11".

Tibet delegates report that the forum site is flooded with armed security guards, apparently apprehensive about threats of violence from several organizations. "Most of the internatioal delegates are yet to arrive", said Kunzang Yuthok of the Seattle-based Tibetan Rights Campaign, "most of the on-site tents and booths have not be set up". Adds Lorne Stockman of TSG-UK, "The international media has shown no interest so far. All we have seen is local Turkish press".

The Tibetan booth is ready however, decorated with a map of Tibet, a Tibetan flag and photo exhibit. TND representatives report that many conference delegates have already visited the Tibet booth, picked up printed information and collected Tibet solidarity ribbons. The ribbons have become a common site on conference grounds.

Chinese delegates have also visited the Tibet booth. There does not appear to be any Tibetans among them so far. TND delegates report that the All China Women's Federation held a workshop this morning, but that it was cancelled due to poor participation.

TND delegates have scheduled four workshops to deal with Tibet issues: The Habitat Situation in Tibet, June 5, coordinated by the Tibet Bureau of Geneva; Death of a Sacred Lake: the Yamdrok Tso, June 7, coordinated by TSG-UK; Housing Rights Violations in Tibet, June 10, coordinated by International Committee of Lawyers for Tibet.

Yesterday the TND sent a written request to the International Facilitating Committee requesting official recognition of a "Tibet Caucus" at the conference. The request will be supported by Barry Pinsky of Rooftops Canada. As a caucus, the TND will receive increased access to the official conference which begins June 2, 1996.