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 Roberta Angelilli and Hanna Foltyn-Kubicka,
on behalf of the UEN Group
on Tibet

B6‑0557/06

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 the ongoing process of the Sino-Tibetan dialogue,

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

A.  whereas more than 70 Tibetan refugees were preparing to cross the glaciated Nangpa La to enter Nepal,

B.  whereas against the rule of international law the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) shot at the unarmed Tibetan refugees,

C.  whereas Kelsang Namtso, a twenty seven-year-old nun, was killed and 20-year-old Kunsang Namgyal was injured; whereas, on the basis of other reports, up to seven Tibetans may have been killed after the group was shot at and whereas 30 refugees were arrested after continuing to flee,

D.  whereas for the first time these border accidents have been seen by various foreign eye-witnesses who brought the video to some European TV stations, but the Chinese authorities have censured their TV transmission,

E.  whereas Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides "everyone the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution", and whereas the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees also accords legitimate refugees with the same human rights as those enjoyed by nationals,

F.  whereas since September 2002 formal contacts have been established between the Chinese and Tibetan authorities at the highest level in order to restore mutual trust and confidence,

G.  whereas despite these contacts and the importance attached to these meetings by the central Chinese authorities, there have been over the past years frequent cases of abuses and violations of human rights perpetrated against the Tibetan population and in particular against Tibetan monks,

1.  Condemns the recent shooting of Tibetan refugees by the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) and expresses its deep regret for the death of Kelsang Natso;

2.  Expresses its dismay at the imprisonment of the 30 Tibetan refugees 14 of whom are children;

3.  Urges the authorities to guarantee that the refugees will not be ill-treated in detention, and that international human rights and humanitarian law standards are being respected;

4    Calls on the Council and the Commission to make strong representations to the Chinese authorities on this issue within the framework of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue;

5    Calls on the Government of the PRC to continue the dialogue with the representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and contribute, by respecting the human rights of the Tibetan people and abstaining to commit such crimes in the future in accordance with the moral obligations assumed, to move this dialogue forward;

6    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.