36th session of the UN Human Rights Council. Photo: UN
United Nations independent experts have questioned China over the jailing of nine Tibetans for celebrating the birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
Nine Tibetans were sentenced with different jail terms ranging from five to fourteen years in 2016 for celebrating the 80th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Five UN experts have questioned China over the use of its anti-separatism law to suppress freedom of religion, expression and assembly.
The UN’s Special Rapporteurs on cultural rights, protection of rights on freedom of expression and opinion, freedom of religion or belief and minority issues have asked China to provide detailed information on the nine Tibetans. The experts presented their report at the ongoing UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva in which they expressed deep regret over China’s continuous use of criminal law to suppress basic human rights such as freedoms of expression, religion and assembly, and the criminalisation of activists and support groups under its Article 103 of criminal law.
Mr Zdenek Hřib, Mayor of Prague.
Photo: irozhlas.cz
In another development the Mayor of Prague, Mr Zdenek Hřib, has refused to bow down to China’s pressure following his statement that the two sides should focus more on Czech-Chinese relationship and hat China should meet their previous investment promises. The Chinese have responded by suggesting that its human rights violations be ignored and that its repressive policy over Tibet should be accepted. They have cancelled their plans for the City of Prague Zoo to host a panda, and they have cancelled the scheduled tour of by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
Mr Zdenek Hřib added that by cancelling the already signed contract of Prague’s Philharmonic Orchestra’s China tour, China is proving to be an unreliable partner. The President of the Czech Republic and his ministers, although overtly admirers of the Chinese Communist regime, have no power to influence the decisions of their democratically elected local government and did not suppress the Mayor’s statements.
China has continuously imposed repressive and restrictive policies in Tibet since its occupation in 1959, Tibetan people have been fighting for their rights and freedom through non-violent methods under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama who has inspired growing international support. More than 153 Tibetans have resorted to the desperate act of self-immolation to protest against the Chinese regime in their country.
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