United Nations
Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (1996) (excerpt) [p.94]
COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
CRC/C/15/Add.56
7 June 1996
Original: English
Twelfth session
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 44 OF THE CONVENTION
Concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child: China
1. The committee considered the intial report of the People's Republic of China (CRC/C/11/Add.7) at its 298th to 300th meetings (CRC/C/SR. 298-300), held on 28 and 29 May 1996, and adopted the following concluding observations:
19. The Committee shares the concern expressed by the State party as regards the number of children in China who still do not attend school. It is also concerned about reports that school attendance in minority areas, including the Tibet Autonomous Region is lagging behind, that quality of education is inferior and that insufficient efforts have been made to develop a bilingual education system which would include adequate teaching in Chinese. These shortcomings may make Tibetan and other minority pupils disadvantaged when applying for entry to secondary and higher level schools.
20. In the framework of the exercise of the right to freedom of religion by children belonging to minorities, in the light of article 30 of the Convention, the Committee expresses its deep concern in connection with violations of human rights of the Tibetan religious minority. State intervention in religious principles and procedures seems to be most unfortunate for the whole generation of boys and girls among the Tibetan population.
40. The Committee suggests that a review is undertaken into measures to ensure that children in the Tibet Autonomous Region and other minority areas are guaranteed full opportunities to develop knowledge about their own language and culture as well as to learn the Chinese language. Steps should be taken to protect these children from discrimination and to ensure their access to higher education on an equal footing.