United Nations Resolutions on Tibet
During the first twenty years of Chinese occupation, the international community could and did unmistakingly express concern regarding the neo-colonial attack on Tibet. Such liberties came to an end when the People's Republic of China was admitted to the United Nations in 1971 - at the 21st attempt and with substantial support from India.
As a permanent member of the Security Council of the UNO, the People's Republic of China can choke any resolution condemning her violations of fundamental Human Rights in Tibet due to her veto right. Therefore, the matter has, since, not been tabled anymore which, however, should not prevent anyone from talking plain language:
States like Iraq, Libya or North Corea - commonly termed rogue states - faced and deserved imposition of severe sanctions in response to acts of similar violence and atrocity.
In the concluding polls for the 1959 and 1961 resolutions, the Republic of India abstained from voting. In 1965, the reasons for these abstentions were explained by the head of the Indian delegation to the United Nations, Dr. Rafiq Zakaria. He gave an unsparing account of the Chinese oppression in Tibet, announced support for the Tibetan people and appealed to the member states to join India in adopting the resolution.¹
Apart from the official justification, the shift in dealing with the Chinese occupation of Tibet may just reflect an approach of Lal Bahadur Shastri differing from Nehru's, maybe, it was in consequence of the 1962 Sino-Indian War. Most likely, both may apply to a certain extent.
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 1353 (XIV)
New York, 1959
The General Assembly,
Recalling the principles regarding fundamental human rights and freedoms set out in the Charter of the United Nations and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the General Assembly on 10 December 1948,
Considering that the fundamental human rights and freedoms to which the Tibetan people, like all others, are entitled include the right to civil and religious liberty for all without distinction,
Mindful also of the distinctive cultural and religious heritage of the people of Tibet and of the autonomy which they have traditionally enjoyed,
Gravely concerned at reports, including the official statements of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to the effect that the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the people of Tibet have been forcibly denied them,
Deploring the effect of these events in increasing international tension and embittering the relations between peoples at a time when earnest and positive efforts are being made by responsible leaders to reduce tension and improve international relations,
1. Affirms its belief that respect for the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is essential for the evolution of a peaceful world order based on the rule of law;
2. Calls for respect for the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people and for their distinctive cultural and religious life.
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 1723 (XVI)
New York, 1961
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 1353 (XVI) of 21 October 1959 on the question of Tibet,
Gravely concerned at the continuation of events in Tibet, including the violation of the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people and the suppression of the distinctive cultural and religious life which they have traditionally enjoyed,
Noting with deep anxiety the severe hardships which these events have inflicted on the Tibetan people, as evidenced by the large-scale exodus of Tibetan refugees to the neighboring countries,
Considering that these events violate fundamental human rights and freedoms set out in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the principle of self-determination of peoples and nations, and have the deplorable effect of increasing international tension and embittering relations between peoples,
1. Reaffirms its conviction that respect for the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is essential for the evolution of a peaceful world order based on the rule of law;
2. Solemnly renews its call for the cessation of practices which deprive the Tibetan people of their fundamental human rights and freedoms, including their right to self-determination;
3. Expresses the hope that Member States will make all possible efforts, as appropriate, towards achieving the purposes of the present resolution.
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 2079 (XX)
New York, 1965
The General Assembly,
Bearing in mind the principles relating to human rights and fundamental freedoms set forth in the Charter of the United Nations and proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Reaffirming its resolutions 1353 (XIV) of 21 October 1959 and 1723 (XVI) of 20 December 1961 on the question of Tibet,
Gravely concerned at the continued violation of the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people of Tibet and the continued suppression of their distinctive cultural and religious life, as evidenced by the exodus of refugees to the neighboring countries,
1. Deplores the continued violation of the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people of Tibet;
2. Reaffirms that the respect for the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is essential for the evolution of a peaceful world order based on the rule of law;
3. Declares its conviction that the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Tibet and the suppression of the distinctive cultural and religious life of its people increase international tension and embitter relations between peoples;
4. Solemnly renews its call for the cessation of all practices which deprive the Tibetan people of the human rights and fundamental freedoms which they have always enjoyed;
5. Appeals to all States to use their best endeavors to achieve the purposes of the present resolution.
¹ Statement of the Indian Government on Tibet, XXth General Assembly of the United Nations. Integral text available at the Documents page.
Photo Credit: Pietro Francesco Mele, © Ethnographic Museum of the University of Zurich (Inv. No. VMZ 402.00.144)