International Lawyers Committee Calls on Clinton to Oppose China's Human Rights Abuses

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

April 7, 1997

The International Committee of Lawyers for Tibet (ICLT) has called on the Clinton administration to take the lead, at the U.N. Human Rights Commission meeting in Geneva, in opposing China's continuing human rights abuses.

The U.N. Human Rights Commission, a body of the United Nations mandated to promote universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, is currently meeting in Geneva. At the meeting, the U.S. and Britain have joined Denmark as co-sponsors of a resolution condemning China's human rights abuses. The U.S., however, is looking for a much weaker version than either the Danes or the Tibetans feel is necessary. "The failure of the U.S. to push for a strongly-worded resolution against China would discredit the sincerity of the U.S.'s human rights policy, and would send a clear signal to China that the U.S. is prepared to subordinate people's fundamental human rights to business rights," said ICLT president Eva Herzer.

In its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices released this January, the U.S. Department of State cites continuing and widespread human rights abuses, including documented deaths in detention, detention without trial, torture of imprisoned monks and nuns, and intensified repression of the freedom of speech and religion in both Tibet and China. In addition, U.N. Special Rapporteurs have documented numerous instances of human rights violations against Tibetans by the Chinese government, including torture, involuntary detention, and religious intolerance.

Prior to the 1970's, the U.N. General Assembly issued resolutions in 1959, 1961 and 1965 condemning China's conduct in Tibet, and specifically recognizing Tibet's right to self-determination. Since joining the U.N. in 1971, China has effectively blocked further resolutions at the General Assembly level.

During his recent visit to China, U.S. Vice President Al Gore presided over the signing of contracts with Boeing Company for the purchase of US$685 million worth of jet planes, and French President Jacques Chirac is set to visit Beijing in May to finalize a $2 billion order for Airbus planes. "It is a sad commentary on a democratic administration, that when the U.S. has just issued its annual report condemning China for its continuing human rights abuses, the highlight of Gore's trip was securing business deals," Herzer added.

The Tibetan Government-In-Exile, represented by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, winner of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, continues to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict in Tibet through direct negotiations with the Chinese government. But, to date, Beijing has failed to respond to his peaceful overtures. "The Dalai Lama presents the best hope for a non-violent solution to the conflict," said Herzer, "and a strong U.N. resolution, at this time, would be an effective means of bringing international pressure to bear on the Chinese government to come to the negotiating table."

The International Committee of Lawyers for Tibet is a non-profit organization, based in Berkeley, California, which advocates self-determination for the Tibetan people. Through legal action and education, ICLT promotes human rights, environmental protection, and a peaceful resolution of the situation in Tibet. On June 11, 1997, ICLT is hosting a reception and dinner in San Francisco with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and California Supreme Court Justice Joyce Kennard entitled "Justice Through Law and Compassion." For details, contact ICLT at tel: 510/486-0588

For further information, contact Eva Herzer, president or Janice Mantell, director at ICLT. Tel: 510/486-0588