While ‘Cardboard Kevin’ may have been banished from Parliament, the Australian Government still appears paper thin on human rights, particularly when it comes to China and Tibet.

“As Chinese police and military surround major monasteries in Lhasa, and other countries voice their concern, the Australian Government remains silent.” said George Farley, Chairman of the Australia Tibet Council. “What message does this send to China? Surely being a “special” friend of China makes it incumbent on Australia to speak up when China’s behaviour clearly breaches acceptable standards of human rights.”

The largest protests seen in Tibet since 1989 and the reported violent response by Chinese authorities has prompted strong statements from Canadian Foreign Minister, Maxime Bernier, and the speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi (See below)

This the first real test for the Rudd government in regards to human rights in China. The question is will they follow the lead of past Australian Governments and refuse to speak publicly about China’s human rights behaviour. Or will Prime Minister Rudd put the relationship on a more balanced footing, where Australia can both enjoy strong trade ties and be confident enough to publicly call on China to respect the human rights of every Tibetan, including the rights of freedom of religion, assembly and free speech.

The Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith, has received over 1100 emails in the past day from Australians concerned about the events in Lhasa.

While the most powerful men in Australian politics remain silent, the endurance of the Tibetan people is epitimised by Kesang Wangmo, who continues a vigil outside Melbourne’s Chinese Consulate every Sunday.

For further comment.
George Farley
Australia Tibet Council Chairman
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Notes

Canada’s Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier (13 March 2008)
(AFP) - “We have serious concerns about the human rights situation in Tibet,” Bernier told parliament. “We have consistently urged China to respect freedom or expression, freedom of association, freedom of religion for all Tibetans,” he said.

“These latest developments in Tibet are very troubling for us and for Canadians. We urge China to respect the right of Tibetans to peaceful protests and to take steps to improve the human rights situation in Tibet.”

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (12 March 2008)
(www.speaker.gov) - “The violent response by Chinese police forces to peaceful protesters in Tibet is disgraceful. It must be met with strong condemnation by the United States government and the international community. The Chinese government should immediately provide information on the welfare and whereabouts of the detained Buddhist monks and facilitate access by international human rights monitors and journalists to Tibetan areas.”