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Human rights are universal - China cannot be allowed to remain an exception |
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PRESS RELEASE From Chinese, Uighur & Tibetan Solidarity UK
Chinese, Uighur & Tibetan Solidarity UK calls on the Chinese Communist Party to respect and uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
[10 December 2009] Today sees the 61st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This landmark charter recognised that “equal and inalienable rights” for “all members of the human family” was vital to ensuring freedom, justice and peace in the world. For many of us, these fundamental human and civil rights are the benchmark by which we live. For millions of people living in China, East Turkestan and Tibet under Chinese Communist Party rule, they remain a dream. The People’s Republic of China continues to flagrantly show utter disregard for basic human and civil rights and openly flout the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It is shameful that world governments stand by and tacitly accept the atrociously low regard shown by the Chinese government for human and civil rights of the millions of people under its rule. Instead of making human rights a core part of any engagement with China, human rights dialogues are more often conducted through bi-lateral talks and piecemeal initiatives. This in itself does not show real commitment by world governments to the fundamental importance of human rights, instead they are insidiously sidelined. This is a dangerous policy and will ultimately lead to a diminishment in the standards of human rights throughout the world.
The Declaration said the highest aspiration of the common people is “a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want.” Governments must stand by this aspiration; they must speak out and integrate human rights in all aspects of their engagement with China. China must be motivated to understand that respecting and adhering to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will effect change for the betterment and harmony of its people.
10 DECEMBER 2009, HUMAN RIGHTS DAY:
JOINT STATEMENT BY CHINESE, UIGHUR & TIBETAN SOLIDARITY UK
In one of the most significant achievements of the 20th century, on 10 December 1948 the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This enshrined “the recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world”. The Republic of China was one of the main participant countries that worked on the Declaration. Shamefully, under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party, the People’s Republic of China has shown little respect for or adherence to the fundamental principles and universal values of the Declaration. Today, 61 years on, millions of people living under the autocratic and oppressive rule of the Chinese regime suffer gross human rights violations and abuses.
However the people have had enough of suffering in silence.
Exactly one year ago, to commemorate the 60th Human Rights Day, scholars and human rights defenders inside People’s Republic of China published "Charter 08", that demanded human rights, freedom and democracy. This year Tibetans inside Tibet and around the world commemorated 50 years of Tibetan resistance to China’s rule, and in July a Uighur demonstration was held in Urumqi calling for an end to racial discrimination.
Today, as we reach another Human Rights Day, we echo the demands of those brave citizens inside the People’s Republic of China, and call for the Chinese government to observe the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaimed 61 years ago.
We urge the Chinese government to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and to change its domestic laws to conform with the standards as established in the Covenant. We call on the international community to stand up, speak out and uphold the universality and integrity of human rights and ensure the Universal Declaration of Human Rights remains the standard by which world citizens can expect to live by.
Chinese, Uighur & Tibetan Solidarity UK
10 December 2009
Chinese, Uighur & Tibetan Solidarity UK is made up of the following organisations:
Chinese Solidarity Campaign, Federation for Democratic China, Friends of Tiananmen Mothers, Tibetan Community in Britain, Tibet Society, Tibetan Youth UK, Students for a Free Tibet UK, Uighur Association, Uighur Community UK
Chinese, Uighur & Tibetan Solidarity UK opposes the tyrannical rule of the Chinese Communist Party and upholds the values of freedom, human rights and democracy.
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