STFA Magazine

Monitoring and Repression: The Threat Situation of Tibetans and Uighurs in China and in Exile

Podium on "Tibetans and Uighurs in China and in exile"

Report on the panel discussion in Bern on 28. November 2019

Karin Gaiser

The panel discussion organized by the Society for Threatened Peoples and the GSTF on November 28, 2019 in Bern focused on the topics of repression and digital surveillance, as well as the economic trade relations between the West and especially Switzerland and China. Invited were Kai Strittmatter (long-time China correspondent and author of “The Reinvention of Dictatorship”), Dolkun Isa (President of the World Uyghur Congress), Kelsang Gyaltsen (former Special Envoy SH of the Dalai Lama), Pascal Hubatka (research associate, Human Department Security / EDA) and Fabian Molina (National Councilor SP / ZH, member of the Tibet Parliamentary Group). The conversation was moderated by Angela Mattli, campaign manager for the Society for Threatened Peoples.

Already in his welcome speech, GSTF President Thomas Büchli made an urgent call to the Swiss government to finally take off his velvet gloves and take a stand.

Kai Strittmatter stated that we should continue to trade and exchange with China, but with open eyes. 

Dolkun Isa explained the massive repression of the Uighurs in East Turkestan and declared that China was fighting terrorism. The publications of the "China Cables" are dismissed by China as a fake news.

Kelsang Gyaltsen explained the danger of cultural genocide in Tibet. It is therefore imperative that China be held accountable for its systematic human rights abuses.

Pascal Hubatka emphasized that Switzerland has repeatedly taken a clear position in recent years, as it sees the human rights situation in China, and that demands have repeatedly been made on China. Switzerland called for the closure of the Xinjiang detention centers and free access for the UN to carry out an independent investigation.

Fabian Molina explained that it is a constitutional task for Switzerland to stand up for human rights in accordance with international rules on international law. China has committed to respect the UN Charter on Human Rights.

These statements were followed by a lively panel discussion, led by Angela Mattli, on how Switzerland deals with China's violations of human rights, issues such as the Belt-and-Road initiative or the Free Trade Agreement.

Asked about his desire for the future, Kelsang made it clear to Gyaltsen that Tibet was a Tibetan issue, their freedom and their rights. One should not give up the hope of resuming direct dialogue with China. In doing so, Tibet's true autonomy within China is sought. But assume that China is a state with constitutional principles.

Read the full podium discussion report in tibetfocus 147, 1. Output 2020.

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