EU asks China to conduct fair trial for Tibetan detainees

Saturday, 7 June 2008, 10:37 a.m.

Geneva: The European Union
(EU) has said Friday it remains seriously concerned over the fate of
Tibetans arrested in the aftermath of the March events and asks that
they be treated in accordance with internationally recognized
democratic principles (in particular fair trial).

“The EU welcomes the recent meeting between representatives of the
Central Government of China and the Envoys of the Dalai Lama. The EU
reiterates its call to enter into a substantive and constructive
dialogue with a view to reaching a sustainable solution acceptable to
all that would fully respect the Tibetan culture, religion and
identity.”

During a session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the
EU also calls for international access to Tibet, including by the High
Commissioner for Human Rights.

The EU would greatly welcome a visit to Tibet by the High
Commissioner for Human Rights. We [EU] believe that such an initiative
could make a positive contribution to the on-going process and would
call upon the Chinese government to accept and facilitate such a visit.

“We reiterate the principled EU’ stance for cooperation with
the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the human
rights mechanisms.

–Report filed by Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, The Tibet Bureau, Geneva