EUROPEAN UNION Brussels, 13 June 2012 A 270/12 Speech by High Representative Catherine Ashton in the European Parliament on the situation in Tibet, 12 June 2012, Strasbourg Defence and promotion of human rights around the world is a key component of the EU's foreign policy. In this context, the EU follows closely the human rights situation in Tibet. The EU considers its human rights dialogue with China as an essential part of the EU-China relationship. In this context, it is committed to engage with China to improve the situation on the ground. The European Union is concerned by the deterioration of the situation in Tibet, as illustrated by the wave of self immolations and by clashes between the police and the local population since the beginning of the year. In recent days, the EU has been particularly concerned by the news of mass arrests and detentions taking place in the Tibetan Autonomous Region following self-immolations in Lhasa, as well as at reports that the TAR, has been closed to foreigners. Some 37 self-immolations of Tibetans have occured in China since 2011. These have been concentrated in Sichuan province but have also taken place in other Tibetan-populated areas where increasing restrictions on religious activities seem to have given rise to a surge of frustration and new protests among Tibetans. Over the last three years, an increasing number of Tibetan intellectuals and cultural figures have faced criminal charges or been imprisoned. The EU is worried by restrictions on expressions of Tibetan identity and freedom of expression in Tibet. P R E S S FOR FURTHER DETAILS: Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 - +32 2 299 97 80 - Michael.Mann@eeas.europa.eu Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 - +32 2 298 65 70 - Maja.Kocijancic@ec.europa.eu Sebastien Brabant +32 460 75 09 98 - Sebastien.Brabant@ec.europa.eu COMM-SPP-HRVP-ASHTON@ec.europa.eu www.eeas.europa.eu EN