As the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) approaches, Tibetan representatives have submitted a statement voicing grave concerns over human rights abuses in Tibet, particularly the construction of the Medog Dam. The delegation, which arrived in Geneva on February 9, 2025, engaged in a five-day advocacy campaign from February 10 to 14, aiming to raise awareness of Tibet’s deteriorating human rights situation.
Tibetan Delegation’s Advocacy Efforts
Among the representatives was Namkyi, a former Tibetan political prisoner and activist who recently arrived in exile. She shared her harrowing testimony of imprisonment and repression during closed-door meetings with representatives from 16 UN permanent missions, six special rapporteurs, and officials from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
The lobbying delegation included:
Thinlay Chukki, representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Dukthen Kyi, advocacy officer, Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR)
Phuntsok Topgyal, UN advocacy officer in Geneva
According to Tibet.net, the exiled Tibetan government’s official media, several UN missions acknowledged China’s significant influence but reaffirmed the importance of upholding international law and human rights. Some countries pledged to raise the issue publicly, while others opted for diplomatic engagement.
Namkyi’s Testimony of Repression and Collective Punishment
During her testimony, Namkyi recounted the devastating impact of China’s collective punishment practices. She described how, after her peaceful protest in Tibet, her family and community faced severe restrictions on employment, education, and government welfare programs.
Namkyi was arrested on October 21, 2015, at the age of 15 after protesting in Ngaba County alongside her sister, Tenzin Dolma, demanding Tibetan freedom and the Dalai Lama’s return. Chinese security forces detained them, subjected them to harsh interrogations, and forced them into political re-education sessions. Despite being minors, Chinese authorities listed them as 18 years old to justify sentencing them to three years in prison for ‘inciting separatism.’
They were imprisoned in Sichuan Province Women’s Prison, where they endured forced labor and ideological indoctrination. Upon their release in 2018, their family faced prolonged restrictions. Her brother, Gendun Phuntsok, was sentenced to four years for a similar protest and released in poor health in 2019, with injuries sustained in detention and unaffordable medical expenses. Another detainee, Lobsang Kelsang, faced severe health deterioration following extended solitary confinement.
A 2024 report by human rights group Safeguard Defenders documented numerous cases of collective punishment in Tibet. Under international law, including Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, arbitrary arrest and detention are prohibited, raising serious concerns over China’s compliance with global human rights standards.
Geopolitical and Diplomatic Responses
While some UN representatives expressed reluctance to take a public stance due to geopolitical pressures, they signaled a willingness to support Tibet through diplomatic channels. The delegation also sought to engage smaller nations unfamiliar with the Tibet issue.
Following the UN meetings, Namkyi and fellow advocates traveled to Munich, Germany, for a Tibetan advocacy program hosted by Tibetan Initiative Deutschland.
Upcoming UNHRC Session and Key Agenda Topics
The UN Human Rights Council, an intergovernmental body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights worldwide, will convene from February 24 to April 4, 2025. The session will cover key issues such as:
Protection of human rights defenders
Freedom of religion
Human rights in counterterrorism efforts
Access to food and housing
Additionally, the council will address pressing human rights concerns in countries including Nicaragua, Venezuela, China, Syria, South Sudan, Iran, North Korea, Myanmar, Eritrea, and the occupied Palestinian territory/Israel.
As the session approaches, Tibetan advocates hope that international pressure will lead to greater scrutiny of China’s policies in Tibet and tangible actions to safeguard Tibetan rights.
