STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1393

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   H.C.R. No. 309

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 309 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DENOUNCING THE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN TIBET,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to denounce the violation of human rights in Tibet.

     Two concerned individuals submitted testimony in support of this resolution.

     Your Committee finds that the Tibetans are regularly subjected to human rights abuses.  These human rights abuses take many forms including disappearance, arbitrary arrest, torture, beatings, and solitary confinement.  Neither are Tibetan women nor Tibetan children excluded from mistreatment.  On the contrary, they suffer sexual abuse, violation of their reproductive rights, and discrimination in education by the Chinese government.

The Chinese government racially discriminates against Tibetans in their hiring practices and by limiting access to training programs and limiting the permits to Tibetans for businesses.  The Chinese government also obscures information in any form that deals with the plight of the Tibetans.  International non-governmental organizations are repeatedly blocked from assisting or observing human rights practices in Tibet by the Chinese government, as well.

     Your Committee wishes to express its support of our federal government in urging China to respect the basic human rights of all of its citizens, including those in Tibet.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 309 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Tourism, Culture, & International Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair