Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest non-governmental and national movement organization in the Tibetan community was represented by its Secretary International Relations Mr. Jamyang Choephel at the 60th session of United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) in Geneva. He was also invited as a special guest during the 35th General Assembly of Tibetan Youth Association in Europe (TYAE) starting from April 9.
On the second anniversary of Tibetan prominent Buddhist lama Tulku Tenzin Delek’s arrest on April 7, Mr. Jamyang delivered an Oral Statement on Item no. 13 at the ongoing 60th session of UNCHR. It was well received by many delegates and showed serious concerns on the continued violation of Human Rights in Tibet by China.
Mr. Jamyang has also been meeting representatives of the member states of UNCHR with an appeal letter urgingthem to support and meet the demands of TYC organized indefinite hunger strike in New York.
By organizing demonstration in front of the venue of the 60th session of UNCHR on April 7, TYC observed the day with rallies in the city, which was participated by about 100 Tibetan Supporters.
Please find below herewith a copy of an oral statement and TYC’s appeal letter to the member states of 60th session of UNCHR.
Contact:Mr. Jamyang Choephel, Secretary International Relations, Mobile: 788-766-583
Released by:
Tibetan Youth Congress (Centrex)Dharamshala
UN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Sixtieth session
Agenda Item 13
Oral Statement by Mr. Jamyang CHOEPHEL on behalf of International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY)
Mr. Chairman, I am making this statement on behalf of the International Union of Socialist Youth. The report of the Special Rapporteur on Educationafter the official mission to Beijing, portrays a grim future for Tibetan children in present-day China, in terms of education. This report has also highlighted how an alien education system is being imposed upon non-Chinese children, including in Tibet. This situation has been going on for the past more than four decades with the Chinese authorities claiming of “civilizing” the Tibetans.
China is a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 30 of this convention affirm that: “In those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities or persons of indigenous origin exist, a child belonging to such a minority or who is indigenous shall not be denied the right, in community with other members of his or her group, to enjoy his or her own culture, to profess and practice his or her own religion, or to use his or her own language.”
Mr. Chairman, for the past more four decades of Chinese rule in Tibetan children who are the indigenous children on the Tibetan plateau, have been deprived of seeking an education based on Tibet’s history, culture, language and religion. For instance, study conducted a few years ago by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and democracy showed that 93% of Tibetan refugee children arriving in India and Nepal had no education about Tibet’s separate history, its Buddhist religion or culture.
It is because of such discriminatory situation of education in Tibet, that thousands of Tibetan children flee each year trekking the mighty Himalayas in order to seek modern and traditional education in Tibetan schools established in South Asia. Some of these children are as young as six. The unlucky ones who do not survive the harsh conditions on the journey die on their way without realizing their dream of an education free of indoctrination.
In this connection, IUSY is also concern about the status of education being provided to the young Panchen Lama of Tibet who has been in detention by China, against his wish, since May 1995. As one of the most revered spiritual teachers in Tibet, the young Panchen Lama is now at a crucial age when his traditional and religious education should be ensured. This, of course, cannot be guaranteed when his entire upbringing is orchestrated by the Chinese authorities. We remain deeply concerned about the continued detention of the Panchen Lama and urge the Chinese authorities to allow the Committee on the Rights of the Child to visit him, so as to ascertain his well being.
Mr. Chairman, three volunteers of Tibetan Youth Congress, one of members of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY), launched an indefinite hunger strike at the UN headquarters in New York on 2nd April, 2004. They will sit on hunger strike until their demands are met by UN or breathe their last. The three Tibetans who began their hunger strike unto death are urging this Commission to adopt a resolution on China, which calls upon the Chinese authorities to fully implement the recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur on Education. They specifically demands:
- To urge China that the XIth Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima must be entitled to religious education at Tashi Lhunpo monastery. China must also disclose the details concerning the safety and whereabouts of the Panchen Lama.
- To adopt a resolution in the 60th UNCHR to appoint Special Rapporteur to monitor and undertake independent investigation to review the Rights to Religious Beliefs and Human Rights situation in Tibet, including the implementation on the recommendations made by Katarina Tomasevski, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Education
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, we are confident that our legitimate demand will receive due recognition.
I thank you.
Appeal Letter to the Member States of 60th UNCHR
Your Excellency,
The three members of Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the largest non-governmental organization in the Tibetan community have observed its Indefinite Hunger Strike from April 2, 2004 in front of the UN building in New York. The hunger strikers are Ms. Dolma Choephel, Joint Secretary of the Central Executive Committee of TYC, Mr. Gyatso, Vice President of Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Gangtok and Mr. Sonam Wangdue, an active member of TYC New York & New Jersey. The Tibetan Youth Congress and hunger strikers are deeply concerned over the continued human rights violations in Tibet. It is sorry to learn that the International community and the UN mechanism have failed to end the Human rights abuses in Tibet.
Your Excellency and your country being the member state of the 60th session of United Nations Commission on Human Rights at Geneva, I on behalf of the hunger strikers and on behalf of TYC would like to seek your word of encouragement and support to fulfill the demands of the hunger strike.
Demands are:
- To urge China to Repeal Tulku Tenzin Delek’s death sentence and must undertake a fair trial under the monitoring agent of international body.
- To urge China that the XIth Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima must be entitled to religious education at Tashi Lhunpo monastery. China must also disclose the details concerning the safety and whereabouts of the Panchen Lama.
- To adopt a resolution in the 60th UNCHR to appoint Special Rapporteur to monitor and undertake independent investigation to review the Rights to Religious Beliefs and Human Rights situation in Tibet, including the implementation on the recommendations made by Katarina Tomasevski, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Education.
- To urge China for an unconditional release of Geshe Sonam Phuntsok and all the other Tibetan political prisoners.
- UN General Assembly must resume its debate on the question of Tibet based on its resolutions passed on 1959, 1961 and 1965.
Therefore, I strongly appeal Your Excellency at the 60th session of UNCHR to meet the demands of this hunger strike movement in New York. Your immediate action at this darkest period of our history will be remembered and indebted by the Tibetan people. I am brimming with full confidence that Your Excellency will support and fulfill the demands of hunger strike.
I look forward to hear from you.
With highest regards,
Yours Sincerely,
Jamyang Choephel (Mr.)
Secretary International Relations
(Representative of TYC at the 60th UNCHR in Geneva)
