China is a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 30 of this convention affirm that: “In those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities or persons of indigenous origin exist, a child belonging to such a minority or who is indigenous shall not be denied the right, in community with other members of his or her group, to enjoy his or her own culture, to profess and practice his or her own religion, or to use his or her own language.”

Mr. Chairman, for the past more four decades of Chinese rule in Tibetan children who are the indigenous children on the Tibetan plateau, have been deprived of seeking an education based on Tibet’s history, culture, language and religion. For instance, study conducted a few years ago by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and democracy showed that 93% of Tibetan refugee children arriving in India and Nepal had no education about Tibet’s separate history, its Buddhist religion or culture.

It is because of such discriminatory situation of education in Tibet, that thousands of Tibetan children flee each year trekking the mighty Himalayas in order to seek modern and traditional education in Tibetan schools established in South Asia. Some of these children are as young as six. The unlucky ones who do not survive the harsh conditions on the journey die on their way without realizing their dream of an education free of indoctrination.

In this connection, IUSY is also concern about the status of education being provided to the young Panchen Lama of Tibet who has been in detention by China, against his wish, since May 1995. As one of the most revered spiritual teachers in Tibet, the young Panchen Lama is now at a crucial age when his traditional and religious education should be ensured. This, of course, cannot be guaranteed when his entire upbringing is orchestrated by the Chinese authorities. We remain deeply concerned about the continued detention of the Panchen Lama and urge the Chinese authorities to allow the Committee on the Rights of the Child to visit him, so as to ascertain his well being.

Mr. Chairman, three volunteers of Tibetan Youth Congress, one of members of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY), launched an indefinite hunger strike at the UN headquarters in New York on 2nd April, 2004. They will sit on hunger strike until their demands are met by UN or breathe their last. The three Tibetans who began their hunger strike unto death are urging this Commission to adopt a resolution on China, which calls upon the Chinese authorities to fully implement the recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur on Education. They specifically demands:

• To urge China that the XIth Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima must be entitled to religious education at Tashi Lhunpo monastery. China must also disclose the details concerning the safety and whereabouts of the Panchen Lama.

• To adopt a resolution in the 60th UNCHR to appoint Special Rapporteur to monitor and undertake independent investigation to review the Rights to Religious Beliefs and Human Rights situation in Tibet, including the implementation on the recommendations made by Katarina Tomasevski, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Education

In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, we are confident that our legitimate demand will receive due recognition.

I thank you