Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Mar. 4: The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has raised grave concerns regarding the ongoing suppression of fundamental freedoms in Tibet under Chinese rule during his Global Update at the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Monday.
“I am concerned about the impact of education policy and the restriction of freedom of expression and religion in the Tibet Autonomous Region,” Türk stated. He affirmed his commitment to continuing diplomatic engagement with the Chinese government to address these pressing human rights issues.
Türk’s Global Update—an annual assessment of human rights conditions worldwide—singled out China’s persistent infringements on civil liberties and the necessity for substantive policy reforms. While he acknowledged ongoing discussions between his office and Chinese authorities on counterterrorism measures, gender equality, and minority rights, he underscored that such dialogue must lead to measurable improvements rather than superficial policy shifts.
The Commissioner also pointed out Beijing’s recent pledge to implement 30 new human rights measures, including amendments to its Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law. However, he emphasised the urgent need to address vaguely defined statutes such as Article 293, which has been widely used to criminalise political dissent under the charge of “picking quarrels and making trouble.” Furthermore, he called for the immediate release of human rights activists, legal professionals, and other political detainees who have been incarcerated under these restrictive legal provisions.
A crucial component of Türk’s address was his insistence that China comply with recommendations from his office and other human rights organisations concerning legal frameworks that undermine personal freedoms in Tibet and East Turkestan. Additionally, he reiterated his concerns about the application of national security laws in Hong Kong, confirming that dialogue with local authorities remains ongoing.
The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), an advocacy organisation, welcomed Türk’s explicit mention of Tibet, pointing out that his predecessor, Michelle Bachelet, had failed to adequately highlight the worsening human rights crisis in the region.
“We appreciate the High Commissioner’s direct reference to Tibet, which underscores the urgency of international intervention in this critical issue,” ICT stated. “This is not just about human rights violations—it’s about the survival of Tibetan cultural and religious identity. Despite decades of occupation, violence, and persecution, Tibetans—under the leadership of the Dalai Lama, who turns 90 this year—continue to call for dialogue and mutual respect.”
The ICT further urged the UN to actively support the Dalai Lama’s “Middle Way” policy, which advocates for genuine autonomy within the framework of the People’s Republic of China rather than full independence. This policy seeks to establish meaningful self-governance for Tibetans while fostering direct negotiations between Tibetan representatives and the Chinese government in pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the protracted Tibet issue.
Furthermore, the ICT reiterated that the Tibetan struggle extends beyond the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region, which only includes the traditional Tibetan province of U-Tsang and parts of Kham. Tibet also encompasses the Tibetan provinces of Amdo and the remaining parts of Kham, which have been integrated into the Chinese provinces of Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, and Yunnan.
