DATE=4/11/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT (L-O)
TITLE=TIBET/HUMAN RIGHTS
NUMBER=261164
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
INTRO: The Tibetan government-in-exile is urging
India to support a U-N resolution to censure China's
human-rights record. The resolution comes up for a
vote by the U-N Human Rights Commission next week
(April 18th) in Geneva. Anjana Pasricha reports from
New Delhi, Tibetan exiles say the human-rights
situation has deteriorated in recent years in the
remote Himalayan region.
TEXT: The U-S proposed resolution expresses concern
at the increased restrictions on the exercise of
cultural, religious, and other freedoms of Tibetans.
It calls for China to preserve and protect the
distinct cultural, ethnic, and religious identity of
Tibet.
In New Delhi, the culture and religious minister in
the Tibetan government-in-exile, Tashi Wangdi, says
the human-rights situation in Tibet has taken a
critical turn as China steps up religious and cultural
repression in the mostly Buddhist region.
/// WANGDI ACT ///
In some spheres of life we are witnessing the
return of an atmosphere of intimidation,
coercion, fear reminiscent of the days of the
Cultural Revolution. In the area of religious
freedom, China has imposed more strict
restrictions on the number of monks in
monasteries. Many monks were expelled from
monasteries because that exceeded the quotas.
They have introduced political indoctrination in
the monasteries.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Wangdi says monks and nuns have been forced to
denounce the Dalai Lama during - patriotic re-
education - campaigns. He says hundreds of them have
been jailed or punished for refusing to oppose Tibetan
freedom.
Mr. Wangdi says brute force is not the only problem
that Tibetans face. He says the region's unique
Buddhist identity is in danger of being swamped by a
mass Chinese influx that is reducing Tibetans to a
minority in their homeland.
China denies accusations of either human-rights abuses
or undermining of Tibetan culture.
Mr. Wangdi says several U-N member countries -
particularly African nations - have been critical of
China's human-rights record. But in recent years
India, anxious to improve relations with Beijing has
been voting against resolutions criticizing China for
human-rights abuses.
Mr. Wangdi says the Tibetan government-in-exile has
appealed to New Delhi to support the current
resolution when it comes up for a vote on April 18th.
/// WANGDI OPT ACT ///
India is a very important country. India has
the moral authority, and India is a country
which respects international law, and therefore
there should be strong public statement against
the things which are happening in Tibet.
/// END OPT ACT ///
The Indian government has not yet indicated how it
plans to vote. But analysts say New Delhi and Beijing
have a common interest in opposing what they see as
attempts by the west to dictate terms on human rights.
// REST OPT //
China took control of Tibet in 1950. Thousands of
Tibetans fled after a failed uprising against Chinese
rule in 1959. Led by the Dalai Lama, Tibetans have
set up a government-in-exile in India. (SIGNED)
NEB/ANJANA/RAE
11-Apr-2000 09:00 AM EDT (11-Apr-2000 1300 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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