Spanish court investigates Chinese leaders for Tibet repression

Aug 5, 2008
Deutsche Presse-Agentur

Madrid - Spain's National Court on Tuesday launched an investigation into possible crimes against humanity in Tibet, indicting seven Chinese political and military leaders three days ahead of the Beijing Olympic Games.

Judge Santiago Pedraz accepted a complaint lodged by several groups including the Tibet Support Committee and Tubten Wanghen Sherpa Sherpa.

The groups accuse China of a 'generalized and systematic attack' against the Tibetan population since March 10.

The repression has led to the deaths of 203 people and to the disappearances of nearly 6,000, while 1,000 people were seriously injured, according to the complaint.

Those indicted were Chinese Defence Minister Lian Guanglie, State Security Minister Geng Huichang, Chinese Communist Party Secretary for Tibet Zhang Qingli, Politbureau member Wang Lequan, Ethnic Affairs Commission leader Li Dezhu, Lhasa Popular Liberation Army Commander Tong Guishan and Chengdu military commando political commissioner Zhan Guihua.

Pedraz called as witnesses several members of the Tibetan government in exile and the author of a recent Amnesty International report on Tibet.

Another National Court judge is currently investigating an alleged genocide in Tibet in the 1980s and 90s.

The Spanish judiciary deems itself competent to deal with human rights crimes, which fall under universal jurisdiction.