TCHRD Statements

TCHRD Statements

China’s re-election to Human Rights Council exposes the crisis facing UN human rights system

Despite concerns about its human rights record, China secured its seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council with 154 votes, marking its sixth election to the Council. China's repeated membership raises questions about the effectiveness of the UN's human rights system and the need for reform in the election process, emphasising the importance of implementing a performance appraisal system to prevent habitual human rights offenders from participating in Council elections. The international community is urged to take action to ensure that the Council's goals are not compromised and to support human rights advocates in China.

International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

Every year on 26 June, the United Nations observes the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, explicitly focusing on torture's lasting generational impact and consequences. Recognising torture as the deliberate infliction of severe physical and mental suffering without justification, the United Nations General Assembly designated this day as an urgent call to eliminate this abhorrent practice, serving as a platform to promote the eradication of torture and to urge governments worldwide, including China, to fulfil their obligations under the UN Convention Against Torture. Recent cases, such as the severe torture endured by a Tibetan monk and the testimonies of Dorje Tashi, shed light on the systematic use of torture by Chinese authorities to suppress freedom of expression and assembly. These distressing incidents underscore the pressing need for the international community to take a firm stand and demand an immediate end to all acts of torture against Tibetans in Tibet.

28 years since the enforced disappearance of Tibet’s Panchen Lama by the Chinese government 

On the 28th anniversary of the Chinese government's arbitrary detention and subsequent enforced disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama Jetsun Tenzin Gedhun Yeshi Trinley Phuntsok Pal Sangpo, widely recognised by his lay name Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) reiterates its call to the Chinese government to immediately and unconditionally release the Panchen Lama, his family members, and all the Tibetan political prisoners. TCHRD emphasises that without ensuring the Tibetan people's fundamental human rights, including freedom of belief and religion, Chinese authorities can never hope to win the hearts and minds of Tibetans, let alone earn any legitimacy for its repressive policies and campaigns in Tibet.

UN Human Rights Experts’ Communication to China on Forced Cultural Assimilation in Tibet

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) welcomes the letter sent to China by four UN human rights experts urging Chinese authorities to clarify how the recent developments in Tibet regarding oppressive laws, policies and practices on education, language and religion are compatible with China’s obligations under the international human rights laws and standards.

TCHRD stands in solidarity with all victims of enforced disappearances

On the 38th International day of the victims of enforced disappearances, TCHRD remembers all victims of enforced disappearance inside Tibet and calls on China to ratify the Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances (Convention).

Human Rights Day: Campaign to Free Tibetan Political Prisoners

On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) calls on the international community to take...

16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence in Tibetan community

A Tibetan mother of two, who was also a popular social media personality, died at the hands of her ex-husband on 30 September because she had refused to return to her abusive marriage. Lhamo, 30, was stabbed and then set on fire by the ex-husband on 14 September while she was live streaming from her home. The horrifying attack on Lhamo on the Chinese video app Douyin triggered a wave of outrage among Chinese netizens, who condemned the crime and demanded that Chinese authorities be held accountable for failing to prevent domestic violence. Despite government censorship, there were vociferous calls advocating for better laws and support systems for domestic abuse victims.

No impunity for torture: #InternationalDayAgainstTorture

26 June is the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) joins initiatives across the...

China must publicly disclose truth about Tibet’s disappeared Panchen Lama

On the 25th anniversary of the enforced disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy...

Tibetans Defend #RightToProtest: TCHRD Campaign on Peaceful Assembly launched

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) launched today the #WhyProtest digital campaign to promote and protect the right to freedom of...

Human Rights Day 2019: UN member-states must defend universal human rights by protecting civil society voices

On the 71st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) calls on the...

TCHRD: Campaign against Gender-Based Violence is a phenomenal success

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) is pleased to announce that the campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has been overwhelmingly successful....