MEDIA RELEASE
19th June 2007
Dalai Lama leaves, Chinese wrongs remain
Repression of Tibetan people demands NZ government attention

As the Dalai Lama's visit to New Zealand comes to an end, Amnesty International challenges the New Zealand government to demonstrate that it is making a genuine diplomatic effort to address the severe persecution of Tibetan people by the Chinese government. In whatever capacity the NZ government representatives met with the Dalai Lama, what must be addressed is the central issue of the Chinese government's persecution of the Tibetan people, especially in light of ongoing FTA negotiations between the two governments.

Amnesty International Campaigns Manager Gary Reese said: "The New Zealand government should take serious thought before letting or trade or economic interests close their eyes to human rights abuses perpetrated by Chinese authorities, against Tibetans and non-Tibetans alike. Now is an appropriate time for the government to demonstrate their commitment to raising human rights abuses with the Chinese government."

The Dalai Lama frequently speaks out against the treatment of the Tibetan people by the Chinese government, and has recently suggested that Tibetan culture and language will disappear within 15 years if Chinese repression continues.

Gary Reese said: "Many Tibetans, including Buddhist monks and nuns, continue to be detained or imprisoned for observing their religion or expressing opinions, and Tibetans generally continue to experience severe restrictions on their rights to freedom of religious belief, expression and association. Discrimination in employment continues against Tibetans, and excessive force has been used against Tibetans seeking to flee repression."

Some examples of recent Chinese abuses documented by Amnesty International:

* In September 2006, witnesses saw Chinese border patrol guards shooting at a group of about 70 unarmed Tibetans attempting to reach Nepal. At least one member of the group was confirmed killed, and at least 25 were taken into custody, where they reportedly suffered interrogations and beatings with rubber batons and electric-shock prods.

* Woeser, a leading Tibetan intellectual, had her weblog shut down several times after she raised questions about China's role in Tibet.

* Sonam Gyalpo, a former monk, was sentenced to 12 year's imprisonment in mid-2006 for "endangering state security" after the authorities found videos of the Dalai Lama and other "incriminating materials" in his house. His family learned of his trial and sentencing when they tried to visit him in detention.

* Tashi Gyaltsen and four other monks were assigned to between two and three years "re-education through labour" in Xiling, Qinghai province, in February 2005, for publishing a newsletter which contained poems and articles deemed to be politically sensitive.

ENDS

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