Statement on the Human Rights Situation in Tibet

Human Rights Now, a Tokyo based international human rights organization expresses its deep concern about the human rights situation in the Tibetan Autonomous Region and other regions where Tibetans reside.

It has been reported that on 10 March, around 60 monks were arrested by Chinese authorities in Lhasa during a peaceful demonstration. On 11 March, around 600 monks began a demonstration demanding the released of the arrested monks. In its response, the Chinese Authority dispersed and arrested the demonstrators using force and tear gas. Following this, violence occurred during the event.

The Chinese government claims that 18 citizens and one policeman were killed and over 600 injured in the course of the protest. The government condemns the protest as clearly criminal, and it underscores the legitimacy of its crackdown.
　A Tibetan exile group reported that 130 citizens and monks were killed during the crackdown. While the exact number of persons killed or injured is not clear, based on a video depicting citizens being forcibly taken by the authorities and pictures of the dead bodies of Tibetans, Human Rights Now recognizes that a substantial number of persons were killed, injured, and forcibly taken by the Chinese authorities. Thousands of Tibetans have also been detained in relation to the situation.

Human Rights Now recognizes that the Chinese Authority’s crackdown causing the death and injury of many people is a serious violation of the rights to life and freedom, while it deplores the violent acts committed by Tibetans.
Freedom of expression, assembly and association should be respected. Peaceful demonstrators must never be arbitrarily detained or tortured.
The Human Rights Council should take an immediate response to the Human Rights Situation in Tibet in its 7th Session. We call upon the Council
1to immediately convene a Special Session on the urgent human rights Situation in the Chinese Tibetan Autonomous Region,
2to establish an independent fact finding team with the involvement of the relevant UN Special Rapporteurs.
We call upon the Chinese Government
1 to respect international norms of human rights, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the ICCPR, in particular, to respect the freedom of expression, assembly and association exercised by Tibetans,
2 to refrain from all use of force and arrest against peaceful demonstration,
3 to immediately release those arbitrarily detained related to the protest,
4 to disclose the names and place of detention of all those detained related to the protest, and to adhere to the absolute prohibition of torture,
5 to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials,
6 to allow future investigations authorized by the United Nations, and to allow all media access to Lhasa.
We call upon the Japanese government, as a neighboring country,
1 to actively engage the situation, in particular, by having serious dialogue with the Chinese government to address the situation.