Brussels — To mark International Human Rights Day, the EU has issued a statement explaining its review of visits to China and Tibet in June 2024. It expresses serious concerns remain about civil, cultural, economic, social and political rights in Tibet and other regions. They urge China to respect, protect and fulfil human rights for all.
The European Union Delegation to China issued a statement on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2024. The statement highlighted ongoing concerns about human rights violations in China, with particular reference to Tibet, and expressed the EU's serious concern about the deterioration of civil, cultural and political freedoms.
The EU statement said, “This year, we recognize China's continued efforts in social welfare, including advances in healthcare and education. We welcome the last meeting of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which took place in Chongqing in June, preceded by a side visit to Tibet.
“However, serious concerns persist regarding civil, cultural, economic, social and political rights. We urge China to respect, protect, and fulfil human rights for everyone, including persons belonging to ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities.
“Since 2013, the human rights situation for ethnic Tibetans in the Tibetan areas of China (that includes the Tibet Autonomous Region and parts of Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu and Yunnan provinces) has been deteriorating. Authorities in Tibetan areas continue to severely restrict freedom of speech and expression, movement, and assembly. Severe restrictions on the freedom of movement of Tibetans include strict limitations on passports allowing international travel. Tibetan Lamas are subjected to additional stringent controls for domestic travel. Tibetan Buddhism is subject to increasing control over religious practices leading to alignment with the ideology of the Chinese Communist Party.
“The setup of a system of obligatory boarding schooling for Tibetan children has also been reported by UN experts and civil society organisations. Cases of closure of schools teaching in Tibetan language, such as the Jigme Gyaltsen Nationalities Vocational School in Golog, are another worrying development. A side visit to Tibet took place, in the margins of the 39th EU-China Human Rights Dialogue. The EU is encouraging more visits from the international community and civil society organisations.
“In China, the suppression of freedom of expression and access to information persists through censorship, intimidation, and surveillance of journalists and media workers. Arrests, detention, prosecution and sentencing of journalists are of particular concern. Chinese journalists and media workers should be able to meet freely different interlocutors, including foreign interlocutors, without fearing harassment, arrest or prosecution."
The EU reiterated its call for the immediate and unconditional release of six Tibetan political prisoners, including Chadrel Rinpoche, teacher of the 11th Panchen Lama, Tibetan environmentalist Anya Sangdra, Tibetan writer Go Sherab Gytaso, Tibetan singer Golog Palden, Tibetan political prisoner Semkyi Dolma and Tibetan businessman Tashi Dorje, who were arbitrarily detained for exercising their freedom of expression. The EU also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of human rights defenders from East Turkestan, Mongolia and China.
The statement states, “The EU strongly advocates for the global respect and protection of gender equality, women and girls’ rights, and the rights of LGBTI individuals. Widespread gender-based violence across the world, including in the EU and in China demands urgent attention. We call on China to safeguard women activists who have suffered human rights violations and abuses.
“The European Union remains committed to constructive dialogue with China, believing that open exchanges about our differences can lead to meaningful cooperation. Today, on International Human Rights Day, we affirm our dedication to advocating for the rights and dignity of every individual, not only in China but around the globe,” it concluded.
