Published by World Tibet Network News - Wednesday, March 26, 1997

CANBERRA, March 26 AAP - The Senate today called for a statement from Prime Minister John Howard on whether he would raise the issue of human rights in Tibet with Chinese Premier Li Peng and President Jiang Zemin on his trip to China.

Mr Howard left today on a trip which will include four days in China.

A motion passed by the Senate today by Bob Brown (Greens, Tas) calls for Mr Howard to raise repression of human rights and environmental and cultural degradation in Tibet with the Chinese President and Premier.

The motion notes Government Senate Leader Robert Hill has undertaken to determine if the issues will be raised and calls for him to provide advice to the Senate before it rises tonight.