15 countries raise Tibet at the United Nations General Assembly
International support for Tibet continues despite China rejecting UN recommendations
In October 2024, a coalition of 15 countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom and United States of America raised serious concerns at the United Nations General Assembly about China’s human rights record in Tibet and Uyghur regions.
Led by Australian Ambassador James Larsen, the joint statement urged China to release arbitrarily peoples detained in both regions and allow independent observers, including those from the UN, to assess the situation on the ground. The statement highlighted concerns about the erosion of Tibet’s cultural, religious, and linguistic identity due to China’s policies, as well as similar abuses faced by Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, including detentions that “may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity”.
This action marks a significant move in the ongoing international push for China to comply with its human rights obligations, which Beijing has repeatedly denied following its fourth Universal Periodic Review in July. China’s UN representatives responded by accusing the Western nations of using human rights as a political tool to interfere in its internal affairs. However, the coalition insisted on the need for transparency and accountability, reflecting broader global concerns about the treatment of marginalised populations under Chinese rule.
The joint statement underscores the growing international pressure on China regarding its policies in these occupied territories, especially as reports continue to emerge about cultural assimilation in Tibet and East Turkestan.
