Dear TSGers,
Please find below the guidelines to TSGs issued by DIIR.
GUIDELINES TO TSGs
54th UN Commission on Human Rights
16 March-24 April, 1998
Geneva, SWITZERLAND
The Tibetan UN Initiative of the Tibetan Government in Exile will once again lobby for the adoption of a resolution condemning China at the 54th UN Commission on Human Rights. As you know, the Tibetan Government has been lobbying for such a resolution during the past six years with the support of Governments, Chinese Democracy Movement and ECOSOC NGOs.
Although we have not been able to get the adoption of a resolution, the situation of human rights in Tibet has been discussed repeatedly by governments, NGOs and UN officials at this UN body. Over the years, major incidences of human rights violations against the Tibetan people and cases of individual political prisoners have been documented in many UN reports of the Commission. The October 1997 visit by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to Tibet is another indication that our call for more UN scrutiny of the human rights situation in Tibet, through field investigation, is receiving attention.
On the other hand, the release of the UNPO Report, "China's Tibet - The World's Largest Remaining Colony" at the 49th session of the UN Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities last year, raised another important issue confronting the Tibetan people. The call by International Commission of Jurists for a UN Referendum in Tibet through the December 1997 release of its Report, "Tibet: Human Rights and Law", has received wide coverage and attention.
You will also recall that at the 53rd session of the Commission, the annual reports of several thematic Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups covered the human rights situation in Tibet, including the case of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, the Eleventh Panchen Lama of Tibet. In the resolution text on China, a specific paragraph on the well-being and whereabouts of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, was included.
The continued presence of a strong official Tibetan delegation representing the Tibetan people at Commission sessions, during that past six years, has enabled government-delegates, international NGOs and representatives of various freedom struggles to ascertain the policy and position of the Tibetan Government to end human rights abuses in Tibet.
Meanwhile, as in the past years, the Office of Tibet (New York) has been lobbying member countries of the United Nations which resulted in several statements of concern on the situation in Tibet at the Third Committee. In collaboration with ECOSOC NGOs, the Office of Tibet was able to hold a Briefing on Tibet at the United Nations in New York which was attended by many diplomats.
This guideline is being distributed by the Department of Information and International Relations, Dharamsala to solicit TSGs support and to recommend as how you can assist the Tibetan Initiative at the 54th UN Commission on Human Rights.
1. Request your Government:
1.1 To co-sponsor the draft resolution on China. Commission Members, non-Member UN States and Observer States can become co-sponsors.
1.2 To raise the situation in Tibet in their oral statements under the agenda item of the Commission which discuses the human rights violations in any part of
the world.
1.3 To support Tibetan Government recommendations for Tibet Paragraphs in the resolution. These will be very similar to the paragraphs proposed to the 53rd Commission on Human Rights.
For instance, the preambular paragraphs request the Commission to express concern on the human rights situation in Tibet in view of renewed crackdown in 1997. The Commission is also being requested to express concern over the continued detention of Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, the Eleventh Panchen Lama of Tibet.
Under the operative paragraphs, the Commission is requested to call upon China to refrain from policies which threaten the distinct national and cultural identity of the Tibetan people. The Commission is also requested to call on China to enter into negotiations with His Holiness the Dalai Lama or His representative, without preconditions.
Office of Tibet will forward the Tibetan Government request to governments who have co-sponsored past draft resolutions against China and countries who are potential co-sponsors.
1.4 Approach the members of your parliament to urge their government to co-sponsor the resolution. If possible pass parliament resolutions or some motions.
1.5 Keep your government and parliament informed about the current situation of human rights in Tibet.
1.6 Tibetan NGOs and TSGs are requested to discuss your national strategy with concerned Office of Tibet in your region, if further clarifications and guidelines are required.
2. Request ECOSOC NGOs:
2.1 To support the Tibetan UN Initiative lobby work for the adoption of a resolution on China.
2.2 To raise the human rights situation in Tibet in their written and oral statements under relevant items, including country situations, religious freedom and economic, social and cultural rights, women rights, environment, etc. If you wish to propose paragraphs please discuss it with the Office of Tibet in your region.
2.3 To contact Tibet Bureau for UN Affairs in Geneva if they are attending the Commission session in Geneva.
3. Consultation and Co-ordination with Tibetan Government:
3.1 TSGs are requested to liaise with Office of Tibet on the developments regarding your lobby work to support the Tibetan UN Initiative at the Commission, on a regular basis.
This is vital if we are to maintain a sound working relationship in our endeavours at the Commission.
4. Tibet Bureau News Updates:
4.1 From time to time, Tibet Bureau in Geneva will be releasing News Updates to keep you posted of the developments at the Commission after the Commission begins its work on 16 March.
If you wish to obtain more information about the background/structure of the Commission, its mandate and its reports, please visit the UNO website: www.unhchr.ch
5. Tibetan Delegation to 1998 Commission:
The Tibetan delegation to the 54th Commission will be the following:
Kalon Tsewng C. Tethong
Kasur Lodi G. Gyari
Sec. Tempa Tsering
Dr. Michael Van Walt
Rep. Chungdak Koren
Rep. Kunzang Yuthok
Mr. Ngawang C. Drakmargyapon (Tibet Bureau)
Mr. Bhugyal (Tibet Bureau)
Mr. Lobsang Nyandak (Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy)
The 53 member-states of the 54th Commission are as follows:
Asia (12 States)
Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka.
Africa (15)
Botswana, Cap Verde, Congo, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Senegal, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, DR Congo (Zaire)
Latin American and Caribbean States (11)
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
Eastern Europe (5)
Belarus, Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, Ukraine
Western and other States (10)
Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, United Kingdom, United States of America
Issued by Department of Information and International Relations
Central Tibetan Administration
Dharamsala-176215 (HP)
INDIA
30 January, 1998
