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Parliamentary question - E-005381/2012(ASW)Parliamentary question
E-005381/2012(ASW)

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Ashton on behalf of the Commission

The High Representative/Vice-President attaches great importance to the human rights situation in Tibet. The EU raised its concerns at the last EU‑China human rights dialogue on 29 May 2012 regarding the series of self-immolations, the impact of rapid economic development on the preservation of Tibetan culture, reports of violent dispersal of demonstrations by Tibetans, the impact of the mass resettlement of nomads, increased government control over Tibetan monasteries, and restrictions on access to Tibet. A list of individual cases of concern, including Tibetans, was handed over at the margins of the dialogue.

The EU called upon the Chinese authorities to address the root causes of the dissatisfaction of Tibetan people and to ensure that their human rights are respected, including their right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, as well as to enjoy their own culture, profess and practise their own religion, and to use their own language.

The EU also raised its concern on Tibet at the EU‑China summit on 14 February 2012. The two latest demarches on Tibet took place on 9 December 2011 and 7 March 2012. EU concerns on Tibet were also expressed at Human Rights Council in early March. The EU will continue to engage China on these issues in order to improve the situation on the ground. The mandate of the future EU Special Representative for Human Rights is yet to be approved by the Council. Although of a general nature, it will, from a CFSP perspective, provide a new channel to monitor developments in China as in other parts of the world and to voice our concerns. . A statement on Tibet by the HR/VP has been made in the EP Plenary on 12 June 2012.

OJ C 256 E, 05/09/2013