Ana Gomes, on behalf of the S&D Group . - Mr President, China embodies much more than a country, more than the Communist state and more than the current wild and corrupt capitalist economy. It is an extraordinary civilisation and a people whom I greatly admire. China also has particular responsibilities as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, among them to respect human rights and to ensure they are respected, which is a particular pillar of the United Nations Charter.

I cannot accept that any allegations of constraints, of whatever kind, exercised in Tibetan monasteries and in Tibetan life can be any excuse to justify China's violation of the human rights of the Tibetans in Tibet and elsewhere. I believe that the Tibetans have the right to enjoy their own culture, identity and freedom. They should be entitled to freedom of religion, to practise their religion and to practise freedom of expression and assembly. I cannot accept China closing Tibet to foreign visitors, including foreign diplomats and journalists. What is there to hide? I cannot accept that the Panchen Lama child has disappeared for decades and that China does not account for the people that have self-immolated in the last months and the mass arrests and detentions that go on.

I believe the current authorities in China are making a big mistake in continuing to refuse to negotiate with the Dalai Lama. It is a self-defeat for China. This will actually prepare the way for a more extremist, hard-line leadership in the future. This is the reason why I will vote for this resolution.