The United Nations and Tibet

Keeping Tibet on the UN Agenda 

The United Nations remains a vital arena for defending the rights and dignity of the Tibetan people.  

Tibet’s case has been before the United Nations since the early years of China’s occupation. Between 1959 and 1965, the UN General Assembly adopted three resolutions recognising the Tibetan people’s right to self-determination and calling for respect for their fundamental human rights. 

Today, that call remains as urgent as ever, as the human rights situation in Tibet has dramatically deteriorated in recent years and China actively works to suppress scrutiny of its actions in Tibet by undermining international human rights mechanisms. 

In this context, engagement at the UN remains essential. Our UN team – composed of staff from the different ICT offices – engage year-round with diplomats, UN experts, and institutions to keep Tibet visible within the UN human rights system. By bringing credible information from Tibet to the Human Rights Council and other UN bodies, ICT helps ensure that China’s violations do not go unnoticed and that Tibetans’ voices continue to be heard within the international community. 

How we work at the United Nations 

1. Participating in Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva, delivering oral statements and organising or taking part in side-events 

2. Engaging with OHCHR, UN Special Procedures and governments’ representations at the UN in Geneva and New York 

3. Contribute to the Universal Periodic Reviews of China by submitting documentation, briefing diplomats, and ensuring that Tibet remains a focus in recommendations made to Beijing 

4. Participate in other relevant events and platform (UN Forum on Minority Issues, Forum on Business and Human Rights,…) 

👉 Stand with Tibet today – support our advocacy work and make sure the UN keeps defending the rights of the Tibetan people.