HL Deb 05 May 1999 vol 600 c91WA
Lord Willoughby de Broke

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What effect they believe their decision not to sponsor a human rights resolution on China at the 55th United Nations Commission for Human Rights will have in Tibet. [HL2192]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

We remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Tibet. We believe that these concerns are better addressed through our continuing human rights dialogues with China rather than repeated UN resolutions, all of which have failed to be adopted in the past. Through dialogue, we take every opportunity to raise our concerns with the Chinese authorities. We urge China to respect the distinct cultural, religious and ethnic identity of Tibetans and to enter into talks with the Dalai Lama in order to seek a lasting solution. My right honourable friend the Minister of State, Derek Fatchett, raised our concerns about Tibet during his recent visit to China.

Lord Willoughby de Broke

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Foreign Secretary mentioned the situation in Tibet during his address to the 55th United Nations Commission for Human Rights in Geneva. [HL2193]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

Along with our EU partners, we remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Tibet. In Geneva, these concerns were expressed in statements by the EU Presidency, on behalf of all EU member states, on 23 March,31 March and 23 April.