HUMAN RIGHTS IN TIBET USED AS PRETEXT FOR POLITICAL ATTACKS, CHINA TELLS NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE

Press Release
NGO/269

HUMAN RIGHTS IN TIBET USED AS PRETEXT FOR POLITICAL ATTACKS, CHINA TELLS NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE

The so-called issue of the human rights of Tibet was being used as a cover for attempts to divide a sovereign State, China, in violation of resolutions of the Economic and Social Council, the representative of China told the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations this afternoon. Speaking as the Committee again deferred noting the quadrennial report of Human Rights Advocates, an organization in consultative status with the Council, China's representative commented on the written replies from that organization to his previous questions. He said that the Council's resolution 1296 (XLIV) of May 1968 barred organizations from using their consultative status to launch political attacks against Member States. Yet, Human Rights Advocates had attacked China on the question of Tibet at human rights forums in 1991 and 1992, denied that Tibet was part of China and accused China of occupying Tibet.

Those positions were incorrect, he continued. Moreover, in its replies, Human Rights Advocates had evaded the questions the Chinese delegation had asked. The organization should answer more clearly whether or not Tibet was part of China.

The Sudan's representative requested the non-governmental organization to provide a list of countries in which it operated.

Non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council are required to report every four years on the work they did supporting the United Nations under arrangements for consultations with them by the Council and its subsidiary bodies, as governed by guidelines set in Council resolution 1296 (XLIV). After examining the reports, the Committee may recommend to the Council any appropriate reclassification in the status of the organizations concerned.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m., Friday, 2 February.

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