CTA REACTION: Encourages by statement of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh), November 3, 2012: “The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) of Tibetans in exile, which is based in Dharamsala is encouraged by the powerful statement of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, on Friday,” said Sikyong (Administrative Head or PM) Dr. Lobsang Sangay.

Sangay said that Pillay has strongly urged the Chinese government to promptly address the longstanding grievances that have led to an alarming escalation in desperate forms of protest, including self-immolations, in Tibetan areas. She was disturbed by “continuing allegations of violence against Tibetans seeking to exercise their fundamental human rights.”

 The CTA considers the statement as true recognition of the urgent and tragic situation in Tibet.

CTA feels that UN should   urge Chinese government to allow Tibetans the freedom of expression. And, to provide access to independent monitors and media to assess the actual conditions in the Tibetan region.

Also, urged the Chinese government to facilitate the pending 12 outstanding requests for official visits to China by UN Special Rapporteurs on human rights, to which the Chinese government has pledged to cooperate before the UN Human Rights Council.

Tashi, Secretary for Information, CTA said,” We are confident that the UN will take the afore-mentioned issues to their logical conclusion with the Chinese leadership.”

In addition, in view of the desperate and unprecedented spate of self-immolations by Tibetans due to China’s repressive policies and the continued intransigence of the Chinese leadership to the relentless efforts of UNHRC, CTA  appealed  to the 47-member states of the UNHRC to convene a special session on Tibet.

According to the CTA, 56 Tibetans have set themselves on fire to protest China's policies and to press their demand for freedom since March 2011.

The His Holiness Dalai Lama has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959. The Tibetan government-in-exile is based in the hill town of Dharamsala.