|
New Zealand Calls for Dialogue on Tibet at UN Debate
Dharamsala, 17 November 2003: According to a UN press release of 14 November, New Zealand has again urged the Chinese authorities to open dialogue on Tibet. Speaking at a debate on "Human Rights Questions" of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly Friday, Don Mackay, a delegate of New Zealand said: "New Zealand also continues to urge China to expand dialogue with the Dalai Lama and to bring about a greater participation by the Tibetan people in decisions regarding their development." New Zealand made a similar appeal at the 59th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights earlier this year.
On 10 November, Ambassador Gilbert Laurin of Canada while referring to the human rights situation in Tibet and China at the Third Committee had said, "The rule of law and judicial due process are key to the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. In China, Canada is concerned about the inappropriate use of judicial procedures to restrict labour unions, and freedom of expression, association and spiritual expression, especially in Tibet and Xinjiang; and about the widespread use of the death penalty, particularly following closed trials."
The Australian representative welcomed China’s willingness to acknowledge shortcomings in its human rights practices and its frank approach to their bilateral human rights dialogue. In the statement, Ambassador John Dauth Lvo said: "We are nevertheless concerned by detentions and executions over the past year for political crimes or for expression of dissenting views. We urge China to ratify the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights at an early date and to grant its citizens their rights under that covenant. We also urge Chinese authorities to address the social grievances of ethnic minorities and other groups through social and economic policy measures."
Zhang Yishan, the representative of the People’s Republic of China, was quoted by the UN Press Release as stating to the Third Committee, "The correct approach to the issue of human rights was to strengthen exchanges of views and cooperation. The world was diversified, and it was quite normal that there were divergent views and differences on the issue of human rights. Only by way of dialogue and cooperation could human rights be promoted...China was actively improving its political democracy and legal systems to ensure democratic elections, a democratic decision-making process, and democratic management. However, as was the case with other countries, there was still room for improvement in the promotion and protection of human rights in China. The Government would continue to do its utmost to further improve."
|
