Press Release for Human Rights Day, 10 December 2012

Chinese, Uyghur & Tibetan Solidarity UK

Press Release for Human Rights Day, 10 December 2012

China’s new leadership urged to end tyranny and grant human rights, freedom and democracy to the people under its rule

[10 December 2012] On the occasion of Human Rights Day 2012, the UK-based coalition Chinese, Uyghur & Tibetan Solidarity UK urges the new leaders of the Chinese Communist Party to instigate changes that will bring real freedom and democracy to China. The coalition also calls upon world leaders to pressurise the Chinese government to adhere to universally accepted human and civil rights standards and uphold the rule of law.

Today marks the 64th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This landmark charter recognises that “everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives” and that “the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections”. These values, endorsed by the international community, are legally binding obligations upon the 167 State Parties, which includes the People’s Republic of China. However, the Chinese regime continues to flagrantly disregard these basic human and civil rights and openly flouts, not only international treaties and conventions, but also its own constitution.

In November, lacking any popular mandate, Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang assumed the Party State’s top two positions of power with the new seven-member Standing Committee of the CCP Politburo revealed at the 18th Party Congress. As this power transition was taking place numerous human rights defenders were being interrogated, beaten and detained; Sichuan dissident and poet Li Bifeng was being sentenced to 12 years imprisonment on fabricated charges of “contract fraud”; and throughout November 28 Tibetans self-immolated as part of a larger protest movement calling for an end to the repression in Tibet.

2012 has the seen the continued arbitrary arrests of writers, bloggers and artists simply for practicing their basic right to freedom of expression. Armed forces are routinely deployed to quell protests and silence those who dare to speak out. Despite such oppressive tactics, protests have continued to grow and spread. There is evidence of increasing self-consciousness in civil society with street protests and coordinated online actions. In Tibet and East Turkestan there are growing movements to preserve and promote cultural identities.

Today, on Human Rights Day 2012, Chinese, Uyghur and Tibetan Solidarity UK:

• calls on the Chinese government to adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and to change its domestic laws to conform with the standards established therein;
• demands the release all prisoners of conscience held by the Chinese government;
• urges the Chinese government to allow independent observers and the international media full and unhindered access to all parts of the People’s Republic of China, in particular Tibetan and Uyghur regions;
• calls on the European Union to refer the human rights situation in China to the European Court of Human Rights;
• calls on governments and leaders around the world to make human rights a top priority when engaging with the Chinese leadership, and publicly state their solidarity with human rights defenders and the Chinese, Uyghur and Tibetan peoples;
• urges the international community to demand democracy in China, as the Chinese Communist Party does not represent the people living under its rule;
• calls on civil society around the world to show solidarity with repressed people under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party.

Chinese, Uyghur & Tibetan Solidarity UK

[end]

Contact:
Paul Golding (Campaigns Coordinator at Tibet Society): 07984 799 958, paul@tibetsociety.com

Available for interview:
Shao Jiang (Chinese): 07961 948 852
Karma Chura-Tsang (Tibetan): 07725 501 995
Rahima Mahmut (Uyghur): 07830 039 693

Notes:
1. Chinese, Uyghur and Tibetan Solidarity UK are holding two events in London to mark Human Rights Day

Monday 10 December: Candle-lit vigil outside the Chinese Embassy, 49-51 Portland Place, London W1B 1JL. 6pm – 8pm.
Wednesday 12 December 2012: Voices of Freedom concert. An evening of imprisoned voices and banned works from Tibet, East Turkestan and China; highlighting cultural persecution. Followed by a Q&A session and refreshments. Tickets £5. Doors open 6.30pm, for 7pm start. Free Word Centre, 60 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3GA.

Further details on both events at: http://bit.ly/HRD2012

2. Chinese, Uyghur & Tibetan Solidarity UK oppose the tyrannical rule of the Chinese Communist Party and uphold the values of freedom, human rights and democracy.

3. Chinese, Uyghur & Tibetan Solidarity UK is made up of the following organisations: Chinese Solidarity Campaign, Federation for Democratic China, Friends of Tiananmen Mothers, Students for a Free Tibet UK, Tibetan Community in Britain, Tibet Society, Tibetan Youth UK, Uyghur Association and Uyghur Community UK.

More information: 
Facebook - www.facebook.com/groups/cuts.uk
Email - cuts.uk@gmail.com