China’s HR Violations in the Spotlight

By Tenzin Samten / September 25, 2015;

Human rights abuses in China have been questioned and criticised during the current 30th United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.

The representatives of the United States and Europe raised concerns regarding the deteriorating human rights scenario in China under Agenda Item 4 of the session entitled ‘Human Rights Situation that requires the Council’s attention’.

The EU delegation condemned China’s recent mass arrest of human rights lawyers and defenders, saying “China should release all those detained for seeking to protect the rights of others and for exercising their freedom of expression and association, including Liu Xiaobo, Ilham Tohti, Gao Yu and Pu Zhiqiang.”

In addition, the EU urged China to address the root causes of the endless unrest and seek peaceful dialogue with ethnic minority groups, especially in Tibet and Xinjiang.

The US Permanent Representative Keith Harper also called for the Council’s attention regarding the immediate release of lawyers and activists who are still in Chinese custody. Representatives from other European countries also considered the mass arrest of Chinese lawyers a common concern for all nations.

The US delegation urged China to “cease undue restrictions on religion in Tibet and Xinjiang and stop church demolitions and cross removals in Zhejiang, which contravene international standards,” states a report in Tibet.net.

Mr Dawa Tsultrim from Switzerland’s Office of Tibet issued both oral and written statements during the first session under Agenda Item 4 regarding the following concerns: the worsening human rights situation inside Tibet; the rising number of self-immolations, and the enforced disappearance, detention and death of Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche in Chinese prison. These statements were issued on behalf of the Society for Threatened Peoples, a non-governmental organisation with special consultative status.

The current UNHRC meeting began on September 14 and will conclude on October 2. The UNHRC hold three annual sessions, in March, June and September. Members of the UNHRC are responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights around the world.