European Parliament
European Parliament Resolution on Human Rights in China and Tibet (1991) [p.297]
RESOLUTION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
SEPTEMBER, 1991
5(b) RESOLUTION B3-01332, 0139, 0169 and 0188/92 on human rights in China and Tibet
The European Parliament
A.having regard to the most recent report by Amnesty International concerning the continuing violations of human rights in China and Tibet and the large number of political detainees still in prison,
B.drawing attention to the increased persecution of those who practise their religious faith: Buddhists, Catholics, Protestants and Moslems,
C.mindful of the problem of overpopulation in China, to which a solution should be sought with full respect for human rights, and therefore shocked by the reports that women are sometimes forced to have abortions,
D. having regard to the declaration by the Council of Ministers of 17 December 1991 on relations with China to the effect that the Twelve and the Commission would refrain from taking any trade initiatives in cooperation with China,
E. having regard to its previous resolutions on violations of human rights in China and its resolution of 22 November 1991 concerning the links between human rights, democracy and development,
1. Calls for the release of all those whose only offence is to practise their religious faith in accordance with Article 36 of the Chinese Constitution of 1982 or who peacefully advocate the establishment of democratic rights;
2. Calls on the Chinese Government to ensure that forced abortions cease immediately and that those responsible are brought to trial;
3. Appeals in particular for the release of:
(a) the Catholic Bishop Paul Li Thenrong who, although sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment in 1957, was incarcerated until 1980 and was rearrested on 20 November 1991;
(b) Lobsang Tsondrue, a monk, Terpa Wangdrak, a monk, Terpa Phulchung, an accountant, Bhu Panpa, an artist, all Tibetans who are detained in harsh conditions for long terms of imprisonment for such offences as possessing a Tibetan flag, possessing posters calling for Tibetan indepen dence or for taking part in peaceful demonstrations, and Tamdin Sithat, a 45-year-old Tibetan, who was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment in 1984 by the Chinese authorities, apparently because he had in his possession a statement by the Dalai Lama;
4. Expresses its concern at the conditions in which prisoners are held, in particular, the medical treatment available, which seems often to be almost non-existent;
5. Calls on all the Member States to adhere strictly to the position adopted by the Council of Ministers on 17 December 1991;
6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, Council, European Political Cooperation and to the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Dalai Lama.