SHOOTING OF TIBETANS

Early day motion 227, tabled 21 November 2006 by Harry Cohen (Labour). Signed by 106 members.

That this House strongly condemns the brutal and unlawful shooting by the Chinese People's Armed Police of a group of unarmed innocent civilian Tibetans fleeing Chinese occupied Tibet when crossing the border at the Nangpa La on 30th September 2006; notes that the incident resulted in the murder of a 17 year old nun, Kelsang Namtso, the subsequent death of one further Tibetan and the arrest of around 30 Tibetans including children under 10 years old; further notes that this act is in contravention of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials; and calls upon the Government to urge the Chinese government to conduct a full investigation into this incident and to ensure further that those responsible for any crimes committed are brought to justice, to give a formal assurance that such abhorrent and unacceptable acts will not happen again, to account for and release any Tibetans arrested as a result of this event and to confirm China's commitment to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Signatures by party: Labour 50, Liberal Democrat 29, Conservative 19, Scottish National Party 4, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.