Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha, an environment research fellow at the Tibet Policy Institute, Mr. Adrien-Claude Zoller, Moderator and Kalon Karma Yeshi during presentation on ‘Violation of socio-environmental rights of the Tibetan people’ at the United Nations in Geneva. Photo/TPI
GENEVA: On the sideline of ongoing 37th UNHRC Session, Kalon Karma Yeshi, Department of Finance, Central Tibetan Administration and Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha, an environment research fellow at the Tibet Policy Institute briefed about Tibet’s environmental situation and violation of socio-environmental rights of the Tibetan people’ at the United Nations in Geneva.
Kalon Karma Yeshi introduced the current socio and political situation of the Tibetans in Tibet.
Tempa Gyaltsen highlighted the global significance of the Tibetan Plateau and explained on how the Tibetan peoples’ right to a ‘Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable environment as per the United Nations 2018 Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment (United Nations Human Rights Special Procedures) is violated by the Chinese government.
The presentation focused on four case studies : 1) The violation of environmental laws and nature reserve regulations by permitting mining inside a nature reserve in Zatoe. 2) The violation of right for an accurate information by falsification of the causes behind the Gyama mining landslide that killed 83 workers. 3) The violation of right for a clean and safe drinking water by allowing lithium Mine Company in Minyak Lhagong to release chemical waste into rivers that caused mass death of fishes and 4) The violation of cultural rights of the Tibetan people by issuing permits to mine on Tibetan sacred mountains in Amchok and suppressing peaceful protesters. He further added that the agony caused by mining on the sacred mountain in Amchok was so much that it led to three self-immolations in the region.
Diplomats from the various permanent missions including Chinese diplomats, civil society organizations, environment groups and Tibet watchers and supporters attended the briefing..
The event was jointly organised by the Society for Threatened Peoples and Geneva for Human Rights (NGOs with Consultative Status) at the Palais des Nations (Place of Nations) in Geneva. Adrien-Claude Zoller, President of Geneva for Human Rights moderated the discussion.
Earlier this week Kalon Karma Yeshi and Tempa Gyaltsen has also addressed the members of Tibetan Community in Switzerland & Liechtenstein at hotel Kreuz, Rapperswil-Jona. Kalon Karma Yeshi spoke about the profile of Central Tibetan Administration focusing on the importance of Tibetan Voluntary contribution (Green Book). Kalon urged every Tibetan to make annual contribution through Tibetan Green Book to CTA and at the same time to promote Tibet Solidarity program among non-Tibetans. Tempa Gyalsten spoke about the importance of Tibet’s environment and its impact in the world.
