UN Human Rights Counchil publishes written ststement on discrimination in Tibet/ENG

2012. február 28./ICT/TibetPress

GENEVA—The Secretary-General of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has published an NGO-submitted written statement detailing the discrimination facing Tibetans in Tibet. The statement, submitted by the Mouvement contre le racisme et pour l’amitie entre les peuples (MRAP), will be circulated at the 19th Session of the UNHRC which meets in Geneva, Switzerland from February 27 through March 23, 2012.

The statement, which will be available to all delegates at the 19th Session of the UNHRC, details increasing discrimination against Tibetans in Tibet as evidenced in Chinese policies and laws for Tibetan autonomous areas, discriminatory law enforcement practices, discrimination on the basis of religious belief, and discrimination through economic development.

MRAP’s statement notes with alarm that “Chinese discriminatory rhetoric and practices have only intensified with the Tibetan people continuing their demand for human rights and fundamental freedoms.” While representing only an abbreviated list of Tibetan grievances, the written statement makes clear the People’s Republic of China’s failure to abide by the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination to which it is party.

The written statement represents part of a concerted effort to increase Tibet’s profile among the UN Human Rights Mechanisms in order to bring about multi-lateral action for Tibet.