Mr. Bertrand Ramcharan, Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, issued a statement on 13th April 2004 on the three young Tibetans who are on indefinite hunger strike in front of United Nations headquarters in New York organized by the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC). The statement said, “Let me say, at the outset, that I am deeply moved by the sentiments and conviction that the considerations that would lead human beings to undertake such a hunger strike. It is my sincere hope that the considerations set out below will meet with the satisfaction of the strikers and allow the conclusion of the strike.” Statement further said “I am pleased to report that your concerns being given the highest level of attention by the United Nations Human Rights mechanisms.” It further stated “I would like to inform you that the Special Rapporteur on Torture will undertake a mission to China at the end of next month and I will bring this matter to his attention for his consideration in connection with that mission. Given these developments and assurances it is very much my hope that the hunger strikers will take heart that their cause is receiving the attention it duly deserves and that the strike might now be terminated. I would also like to assure you that we will remain seized of the matter and would welcome any further information or communications regarding developments in these cases that you may wish to bring to our attention. Today, as Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights, I wish to give you my assurances that I will exercise my good offices in encouraging the relevant United Nations human rights mechanisms, as described above, to once again follow up as appropriate.”
Reacting to the UN statement Tibetan Youth Congress on behalf of the three Tibetan hunger strikers wrote to the Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and to the Secretary General of United Nations stating that although it was grateful for the statement of the Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights concerning the ongoing hunger strike movement but the statement does not address the specific demands of the hunger strikers and that they are determined to continue indefinite huger strike until their demands are accepted by the United Nations. I hope that the UN will prove its universal commitments by addressing our just demands.
Kalsang Phuntsok Godrukpa (Mr.)
President, TYC
(Issued in response to the statement by H.E. Bertrand Ramcharan, Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights – Geneva)
