World Parliamentarians call for UN Fact-finding Mission to Tibet/ENG

2012. február 3./CTA/TibetPress

DHARAMSHALA: Expressing its deep concern over the reports of killing of Tibetans by the Chinese security forces in northeastern Tibet and the lockdown of Tibet, the International Parliamentarians has called for a UN-led fact-finding mission to observe the situation in Tibet.

In a statement on 31 January, International Network of Parliamentarians on Tibet (INPaT) said it is extremely concerned for the news that several Tibetans in Draggo, Kardze and in Dzamthang, Ngaba have been shot dead by Chinese security forces last week.

“INPaT considers the use of force not an acceptable response on the part of the Chinese authorities toward peaceful protests carried out by Tibetans to excercise right to freedom of expression and assembly,” the statement said.

“INPaT remains deeply concerned that these cases of extrajudicial killings of Tibetans has happened in the background of self-immolation protests by 17 Tibetans since 2009 with 12 of them having succumbed to their injuries.

“INPaT deplores that according to various sources there is a massive deployment of security forces in Tibet with journalists and other independent observers prevented from visiting Tibetan areas, especially in Sichuan province.

“INPaT calls upon the Chinese authorities to provide adequate information on the well-being and whereabouts of Tibetans who have been detained since the first self-immolation last year by Ven. Phuntsok on 16 March and to withdraw the security measures imposed, including at religious institutions.

“INPaT welcomes that parliamentarians in many countries have expressed their concerns on the overall human rights situation in Tibet, especially after an alarming number of self-immolation protests by Tibetans. While remaining in solidarity with the aspirations of Tibetan people, INPaT joins the call upon Tibetans not to sacrifice their valuable lives through self-immolations but instead maintain their collective voice and strength to face the challenges from the Chinese authorities.

“INPaT calls upon the Chinese authorities to promptly follow-up on its invitation to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to conduct a fact-finding mission to China and that such a visit ensures adequate time for observing the situation in Tibet. INPaT believes that such a visit by the United Nations chief human rights official can help convey an independent assessment on the human rights crisis faced by the six million Tibetans,” the statement noted.

133 Members from 33 worldwide Parliaments who took part in the 5th World Parliamentarians’ Convention on Tibet (18/19 November 2009, Rome) adopted the “Rome Declaration on Tibet” which constituted the International Network for Parliamentarians on Tibet (INPaT).