The International Campaign for Tibet once again drew attention to the alarming human rights deterioration in Tibet during the General Debate of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ICT\u2019s EU Policy Director Vincent Metten, on behalf of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, called on UN member states to vote against China\u2019s full membership in the Human Rights Council in October. Metten also emphasized the critical need for nations to hold the Chinese government accountable for its increasingly severe human rights violations during its fourth Universal Periodic Review by the UN Human Rights Council in January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the General Debate, Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Iceland, Sweden, the United States, the United Kingdom and the EU pointedly criticized China for the dangerous situation in Tibet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Chinese government\u2019s ongoing policy of repression aims to eradicate the authentic and self-determined Tibetan culture. This policy must be stopped immediately,\u201d said Metten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Metten particularly underscored the Chinese government\u2019s forced resettlement policy, which to date has displaced countless Tibetans and Tibetan communities from their homes. He also criticized the Chinese government\u2019s boarding school scheme, which has separated 1 million Tibetan children from their families and mother tongue, as well as torture, arbitrary detention and the disappearance of Tibetan environmental defenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Metten also denounced the persecution of Tibetans exercising their right to freedom of religion and belief, including the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s regular interference in the appointment of Tibetan Buddhist clergy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n