MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

24.10.2006

with request for inclusion in the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Thomas Mann, Piia-Noora Kauppi, Charles Tannock, Bernd Posselt, Elisabeth Jeggle, Simon Coveney,
on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
on Tibet

B6‑0562/06

European Parliament resolution on Tibet

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to its previous resolutions on Tibet and the human rights situation in China,

-  having regard to its resolution of 7 September 2006 on EU-China Relations[1],

-  having regard to the lack of progress in the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue,

-  having regard to Rule 115(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas on 30 September 2006 more than 70 Tibetans were attempting to cross the glaciated Nangpa Pass in the Himalayan region of Tibet, approximately two hours walk from the Nepalese border, in order to seek refugee status in Nepal,

B.  whereas against the rule of international law the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) fired upon unarmed Tibetan civilians, including women and children; whereas video and photographic evidence from the incident shows that the Tibetan group was moving slowly away from the Chinese forces firing upon them, did not approach Chinese forces nor represent a threat to Chinese forces,

C.  whereas the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials states, "law enforcement officials shall not use firearms against persons except in self-defence or defence of others against the imminent threat of death or serious injury…only when less extreme means are insufficient to achieve these objectives. In any event, intentional lethal use of firearms may only be made when strictly unavoidable in order to protect life",

D.  whereas Kelsang Namtso, a seventeen-year-old nun, was killed during the shooting by Chinese PAP; whereas there are unconfirmed eyewitness accounts of more than one death; whereas a group of Tibetans including children were arrested after continuing to flee,

E.  whereas Chinese State Media, Xinhua, has reported an incident in the region as ‘self-defence’ despite video and photographic evidence to the contrary; whereas the Chinese authorities have thus far not officially recognised that the incident at Nangpa Pass took place nor that any individual was killed by Chinese forces,

F.  whereas China is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights, Article 6 of which states “every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life",

G.  whereas China has signed and ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states that “every child has the inherent right to life”, that states “shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child” and that “No child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Neither capital punishment nor life imprisonment without possibility of release shall be imposed for offences committed by persons below eighteen years of age”,

1.  Condemns the excessive use of force by the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) in firing upon unarmed Tibetan civilians, including children;

2.  Strongly condemns the killing of an unarmed civilian who, being below 18 years of age, was also considered a child under international law;

3.  Expresses its dismay at the imprisonment of Tibetan civilians, 9 of whom are children;

4.  Urges the Chinese authorities to guarantee that the Tibetans detained during the incident will not be ill-treated in detention, and that international human rights and humanitarian law standards are being respected;

5.  Urges the Chinese authorities to immediately release all children detained during the incident;

6.  Urges the Chinese authorities to conduct a full investigation into the events at Nangpa Pass and ensure that those responsible for any crimes committed there are brought to justice;

7.  Calls on the Council and the Commission to closely monitor, through their representations in Nepal, the situation of those Tibetans from the group who have reached Nepal and to make strong representations to the Chinese authorities on this issue within the framework of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue;

8.  Calls on the Council and the Commission to reiterate their position that only dialogue between the Government of the PRC and the Representatives of the Dalai Lama can contribute to a peaceful and sustainable settlement for Tibet that both sides agree upon;

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the UN Secretary General and the Government of the People's Republic of China.

• [1]  Texts Adopted, P6_TA(2006)0346.