DATE=4/11/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT (L-O)
TITLE=TIBET/HUMAN RIGHTS
NUMBER=261164
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=

INTRO:  The Tibetan government-in-exile is urging 
India to support a U-N resolution to censure China's 
human-rights record.  The resolution comes up for a 
vote by the U-N Human Rights Commission next week 
(April 18th) in Geneva.  Anjana Pasricha reports from 
New Delhi, Tibetan exiles say the human-rights 
situation has deteriorated in recent years in the 
remote Himalayan region. 

TEXT:  The U-S proposed resolution expresses concern 
at the increased restrictions on the exercise of 
cultural, religious, and other freedoms of Tibetans.  
It calls for China to preserve and protect the 
distinct cultural, ethnic, and religious identity of 
Tibet.

In New Delhi, the culture and religious minister in 
the Tibetan government-in-exile, Tashi Wangdi, says 
the human-rights situation in Tibet has taken a 
critical turn as China steps up religious and cultural 
repression in the mostly Buddhist region. 

            /// WANGDI ACT ///

      In some spheres of life we are witnessing the 
      return of an atmosphere of intimidation, 
      coercion, fear reminiscent of the days of the 
      Cultural Revolution.  In the area of religious 
      freedom, China has imposed more strict 
      restrictions on the number of monks in 
      monasteries.  Many monks were expelled from 
      monasteries because that exceeded the quotas.  
      They have introduced political indoctrination in 
      the monasteries.

            /// END ACT ///

Mr. Wangdi says monks and nuns have been forced to 
denounce the Dalai Lama during - patriotic re-
education - campaigns.  He says hundreds of them have 
been jailed or punished for refusing to oppose Tibetan 
freedom.

Mr. Wangdi says brute force is not the only problem 
that Tibetans face.  He says the region's unique 
Buddhist identity is in danger of being swamped by a 
mass Chinese influx that is reducing Tibetans to a 
minority in their homeland.

China denies accusations of either human-rights abuses 
or undermining of Tibetan culture.  

Mr. Wangdi says several U-N member countries - 
particularly African nations - have been critical of 
China's human-rights record.  But in recent years 
India, anxious to improve relations with Beijing has 
been voting against resolutions criticizing China for 
human-rights abuses.

Mr. Wangdi says the Tibetan government-in-exile has 
appealed to New Delhi to support the current 
resolution when it comes up for a vote on April 18th. 

            /// WANGDI OPT ACT ///

      India is a very important country.  India has 
      the moral authority, and India is a country 
      which respects international law, and therefore 
      there should be strong public statement against 
      the things which are happening in Tibet.

            /// END OPT ACT ///

The Indian government has not yet indicated how it 
plans to vote.  But analysts say New Delhi and Beijing 
have a common interest in opposing what they see as 
attempts by the west to dictate terms on human rights. 

            // REST OPT //

China took control of Tibet in 1950.  Thousands of 
Tibetans fled after a failed uprising against Chinese 
rule in 1959.  Led by the Dalai Lama, Tibetans have 
set up a government-in-exile in India.   (SIGNED)

NEB/ANJANA/RAE 



11-Apr-2000 09:00 AM EDT (11-Apr-2000 1300 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.