NEWS RELEASE

Senator Vicki Bourne

Senator for New South Wales

Australian Democrats Whip

Parliament of Australia - The Senate

5 March 1997 97/142

The Australian Senate today called on the Federal Government to take up the cause of incarcerated Tibetan and Fulbright Scholar, Ngawang Choephel.

The Senate motion, which was carried without dissent, sends a clear message to the Federal Government that the Senate expects the Government to act against human rights abuses in Tibet and China.

The motion was the work of Australian Democrats' Human Rights and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Senator Vicki Bourne.

Senator Bourne said "Regardless of the Australian Government's ambitions for a trading relationship with China the appalling human rights situation in Tibet cannot and must not be ignored.

"Ngawang Choephel's plight typifies the tyranny of China's brutal regime in Tibet.

"Ngawang Choephel was detained in Tibet in August 1995 and sentenced in December 1996. His alleged crime was "spying" while carrying out field research as an ethnomusicologist. He was denied access to legal representation and his family and friends have not been allowed to communicate with him since his arrest. His whereabouts remains unknown."

Senator Bourne's motion calls on the Federal Government to:

1. urgently raise the issue of Ngawang Choephel's arrest and incarceration with the Chinese Government;

2. reiterate Australia's concern about the continuing human rights abuses in China, including in Tibet;

3. reiterate Australia's belief that the distinct Tibetan culture, religious practices and ethnic heritage should be protected;

4. seeks immediate information from the Chinese Government on Ngawang Choephel's whereabouts and well-being; and

5. register Australia's concern about Ngawang Choephel's sentence with the Chinese Government.

For more information, please contact Senator Bourne:

06 277 3820 W or 06 297 3830 H