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Human Rights Council 7th Session The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action affirms as a fundamental principle of the United Nations that "Human rights and fundamental freedoms are the birthright of all human beings; their protection and promotion is the responsibility of governments." As we recall the commitments all of our governments made in Vienna, the United States Government and the American people are deeply troubled by the reports in recent weeks of violence, arrests and loss of life stemming from what began as peaceful protests in Lhasa. The US shares the concerns voiced by several other delegations in this Council today. The demonstrations and protests have spread to other areas of China, including Tibetan regions in western Sichuan, southern Gansu, southern Qinghai and Yunnan provinces. We also are concerned by the lack of objective, on-the-ground reporting from Tibetan areas due to the government's refusal to allow access to the areas by foreign journalists, diplomats and international observers. Restrictions on the access of foreign media to Tibetan areas of China run counter to China's Olympic bid commitments. We are concerned about official Chinese rhetoric and the blocking of independent reporting on the events. Secretary Rice has called for the Chinese government to exercise restraint in dealing with the protests and for all sides to refrain from violence. We urge China to respect the fundamental and universally recognized right of all its citizens to peacefully express their political and religious views, and call on China to release monks and others who have been detained solely for the peaceful expression of their views. We also encourage Beijing to engage in a substantive dialogue with the Dalai Lama directly, and through his representatives, in order to address long-standing tensions in Tibetan areas regarding profound issues of religious freedom, cultural preservation and economic development. Thank you, Mr. President.
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