Tibetan Political Prisoners and Deaths in Custody

Geneva: The Society for Threatened People and Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, NGO-ECOSOC status for the UN, yesterday, jointly sponsored and organised a side event on “Tibetan Political Prisoners and Deaths in Custody” with three panelists on the opening day of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s 30th session. Office of Tibet, Switzerland facilitated the side event.

Panelist from International Campaign for Tibet Mr. Kai Müller presented the case of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and deaths in Chinese custody on 12th July 2015. Mr. Kai also spoke on various forms of torture being enduring by the Tibetans in Chinese prison/detention.

Ms. Phuntsok Nyidon, former political prisoner presented testimony of her 17-year experience of suffering in Chinese prison.

Mr. Kelsang Gyaltsen, Special Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Europe gave an overview of the issue of Tibet. Mr. Kelsang also expressed concern over current human rights situation prevailing inside Tibet particularly 142 Tibetan self-Immolations and urged the Chinese government to deal with this issue in a more pragmatic and mutually acceptable way instead of using repressive policies. Protest in Tibet by younger generation who have grown up under Chinese rule indicates growing resentment against the Chinese government policy.

Kelsang also spoke about direct contact which resumed in the year 2002 which led to nine rounds of formal dialogue with Chinese government with the submission of Memorandum of Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People on the basis of the provisions enshrined in the Constitution of PRC and thereby further note to clarify doubts/suspicious of Chinese leadership and stalled of dialogue process since 2010.

The event has been attended by NGOs, United Religions Initiative, International Service for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch and delegations from the US, Swiss, UK, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, EU and other countries’ permanent missions. Delegation from Chinese Embassy was also participated.

Gyaltsen

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