Tibet Intergroup Blog

Thomas Mann verurteilt Hinrichtungen von Tibetern

Der Präsident der Tibet Intergroup im Europäischen Parlament, der hessische CDU-Europaabgeordnete Thomas Mann, verurteilte aufs Schärfste die Hinrichtung von zwei Tibetern aufgrund ihrer angeblichen Verwicklung in die Unruhen im Vorfeld der Olympischen Spiele im März 2008. Nach bestätigten Berichten wurden Lobsang Gyaltsen und Loyak am Dienstag vergangener Woche im Bezirk Lhasa hingerichtet. "Ich erwarte von den chinesischen Behörden eine rasche Stellungnahme, ob weitere Tibeter hingerichtet wurden und warum die Todesurteile gegen Lobsang Gyaltsen und Loyak verhängt und vollstreckt wurden. Ich habe dem Europäischen Parlament vorgeschlagen, schnellstmöglich eine Dringlichkeitsdebatte zu diesem Vorfall zu führen und eine Resolution zu verabschieden. Die Vollstreckung von Todesurteilen erst recht im Zusammenhang mit den Olympischen Spielen ist ein unfassbarer Akt, der eine unmissverständliche Reaktion der EU erfordert!", unterstrich Thomas Mann.

  

Hintergrund: Die Tibet Intergroup im Europäischen Parlament

"60 Jahre China bedeuten auch 20 Jahre Tibet Intergroup (TIG) im Europäischen Parlament (EP). Das Tian’anmen-Massaker 1989 war Auslöser für die Gründung unserer überfraktionellen Gruppe, der heute über 100 Europaabgeordnete angehören. 2001 gelang es uns, dass der Dalai Lama im Plenarsaal des EP in Straßburg zu den Abgeordneten sprechen konnte - erstmals in der Geschichte", erläuterte Thomas Mann. 

Die Gründung der Tibet Intergroup vor 20 Jahren sei mit der Verhängung des Waffenembargos der EU gegen die Volksrepublik China zusammengefallen. Seine Aufrechterhaltung bis zum heutigen Tag gehöre zu den größten politischen Erfolgen: "Es gibt keinen Grund für die Aufhebung des Embargos, da sich an der Situation in China kaum etwas geändert hat", unterstrich der TIG-Präsident. 

Von Frankfurt ins Europäische Parlament: Einmalige Dalai Lama-Ausstellung erfolgreich gestartet!

Das Europäische Parlament in Straßburg wird bis einschließlich Freitag zum tibetischen Kunsttempel. Der hessische CDU-Europaabgeordnete Thomas Mann, der seit 1999 Präsident der Tibet Intergruppe des EP ist, hat die erfolgreiche Frankfurter Ausstellung „Artists for Dalai Lama“ auf das europäische Parkett nach Straßburg geholt. Anlässlich des Dalai Lama-Besuchs in Hessen im August 2009 organisierten die Initiatoren Andrea und Mike Kuhlmann sowie Jörg Schmitz eine Ausstellungsreihe mit Stationen wie Köln und Offenbach. Höhepunkt der Reihe war eine Ausstellung in der Frankfurter Union Halle, die live in das Time Square Building nach New York übertragen wurde.

Am gestrigen Abend wurde die Ausstellung in Straßburg von Thomas Mann anlässlich des 20jährigen Bestehens der Tibet Intergruppe im Europäischen Parlament eröffnet: „Die Artists for Dalai Lama setzen mit ihren Werken ein eindrucksvolles Zeichen für Frieden und die Einhaltung der Menschenrechte in China und Tibet. Ihre Kunst wollen wir in Straßburg und Brüssel in Politik umsetzen. Das Tian’anmen-Massaker 1989 war Auslöser für die Gründung unserer überfraktionellen Gruppe, der heute über 100 Europaabgeordnete angehören. In fast 50 Resolutionen haben wir immer wieder auf die katastrophale Lage der Menschenrechte in China hingewiesen. Unser Druck half, die Vollstreckung von Todesurteilen zu verhindern, Nonnen und Mönche aus der Gefangenschaft zu befreien und zu verhindern, dass das EU-Waffenembargo gegen China wieder aufgehoben wurde. 2001 gelang es uns, dass der Dalai Lama im Plenarsaal des EP in Straßburg zu den Abgeordneten sprechen konnte - erstmals in der Geschichte des Parlaments. Zuletzt redete er im Dezember 2008 vor den Abgeordneten in Brüssel - wir zeigten unsere Solidarität durch eine Fastenaktion“, erläuterte Thomas Mann.

Im Europaparlament werden mehr als 50 Werke von 16 Künstlern, darunter Bilder, Spruchbänder und Skulpturen gezeigt. Der Erlös der Veranstaltung geht zu 20% an Children for Tomorrow und das Tadra-Projekt für Waisenkinder in Tibet. An der gestrigen Ausstellungseröffnung nahmen 180 Europaabgeordnete und ihre Mitarbeiter sowie Journalisten und Menschenrechts-Experten aus ganz Europa teil. Jörg Schmitz zum Ausstellungserfolg: „Die Künstler zeigen mit ihrer Arbeit symbolisch das Verständnis der Tibeter mit der übrigen Welt und umgekehrt. Wir sind sehr glücklich, unsere Werke an einem symbolischen Ort wie Straßburg zeigen zu können und hoffen, die Arbeit der Intergruppe damit zu unterstützen.“

Artists for Dalai Lama

Download 2009-10-15_AFDL_EP_Einladung

Tibet, To Death, To Life

“The situation today in Tibet is a case of life or death. The policy of the Chinese government is to finish off Tibetan identity and Tibetan culture.” Words that echo the call launched last year by Chinese officials to “a fight to the death against separatism and its religious henchmen”. Words that ring out like a warning, that resonate in the head and wring the heart: The Dalai Lama pronounced them on 4 May 2009 during a public meeting in New York. He also encouraged the audience to go and see what is happening in situ, to see at first hand what is really happening behind the picturesque shop window and to testify - to see at first hand if Tibetans are happy, as the Beijing government assert unceasingly, having sent out envoys all over the world in the framework of a propaganda offensive. Their efforts go as far as authorizing the re-opening of tourism with a huge publicity thrust. The first groups of tourists are well surrounded during their visit to the Potala; but researchers, experts, pilgrims and Tibetan nationals with foreign passports, without forgetting journalists, are systematically refused visas and permits to enter Tibetan territory.

During this time, the official Press Agency obligingly enumerates the government-organized exhibitions relating the Chinese version of Tibet being presented in Hong Kong, Montreal, Mexico and elsewhere. On their side, the Chinese diplomats busy themselves by warning against any inclination on the part of political officials to talk to the Dalai Lama, should he be in their country. Danish and Dutch parliamentarians have already made it known in no uncertain terms that they do not intend to be dictated to by Beijing, which continues to multiply its reprimands, warnings, and threats of reprisals to the world. As if the Forbidden City ruled the world. Without the least embarrassment, the official Chinese services did not hesitate to ask the American President not to meet the Spiritual and Temporal Leader of Tibet during a voyage envisaged for next Autumn. In the meantime, the Town Hall of Paris, suspected of planning to offer Honorary Citizenship of the City of Paris to the Dalai Lama (conforming to a Resolution of 2008) during his forthcoming visit to France in June, is the target of official Chinese wrath. If that is not interference in the affairs of other countries, then the words have certainly lost their sense.

One year after the protest movement that set fire to the whole of the historic Tibetan territory tightly encircled by Chinese frontiers, the first condemnations to death have been officially pronounced and trials continued, most often in huis clos and without anyone knowing anything about what is going on or under what conditions. Verdicts are announced furtively, and the small amount of information that circulates is thanks to the families directly concerned. Certainly, in rare cases like that of Lama Jigmé (of Labrang) or the liberation of Golok Jigmé, responsible with Dhondup Wangchen for the film Leaving Fear Behind, some information can be gathered, even if what happened to the latter is not known. Without in any way deluding ourselves with illusions, perhaps one can read behind the lines in these apparent acts of “clemency”, an unconfessed consequence of campaigns carried out in support of these “accused people”, as was the case not long ago when public opinion was mobilized in support of Soviet or Chinese dissidents. This does not alter the fact that those who were released take the trouble to recount the tortures, the interrogations and the bad treatment inflicted upon them by way of routine in detention.

Sporadic detentions nevertheless continue – like the pupils and students who demonstrated in April in Labrang to protest against the demonization of the Dalai Lama, claiming the right to express themselves and to denounce bullying and the mortifications they had been subject to. This give rise to concerns about their future… The Tibetan land is also suffering in its own way; Chinese specialists are beginning to worry about a worrying rise in temperature on the Tibetan High Plateau, which does not bode well for huge Chinese projects, in particular the much-vaunted railway. According to the on-line “People’s Daily”, “Tibet is seriously affected by climate warming”. Oh really? Who has been saying for years, experts demonstrating, supported by proof, that “uncontrolled human activities” are menacing the fragile environmental balance of Tibet? And it is certainly not the forced and accelerated settling of Tibetan nomads, with a host of disastrous socio-economic consequences induced by these coercive measures, that will put things right.

Not far from there, the parents of Chinese children killed under the ruins of the schools that collapsed in the Szechuan earthquake last year are being harassed and threatened by the authorities to keep them silent. However, the more that repression grows, the more discontentment grows; a logic seemingly lost on the authorities. The approach of the 4 June – twenty years after the tank assault on students in the large square in the middle of Beijing – is visibly making the Chinese leaders if not worried, at least nervous. To protect themselves from a surprise, faced with this latent unrest, they want at all costs to ensure peace, or rather, according to the formula of the Chinese President, “stability and harmony.” As if it were sufficient to deploy army, police, paramilitary or other forces as soon as there is the slightest attempt at criticism or hint of a demonstration, so as to guarantee this very singular order, dear to dictators.

Visibly, such is not the view of Spanish justice which, under the terms of the principle of the universal jurisdiction that it proclaims, has just heard various testimonies supporting the open dossier opposing several high placed Chinese officials held responsible for the massive repression of Tibetan protests during the Spring of 2008. Rogatory Committees have even been sent to collect the replies of the principal personalities implicated, which was apparently not appreciated by the Chinese authorities: the official press made it known that if the Spanish judge ventured into China, he would immediately be imprisoned for calumny and defamation. Which is, undoubtedly, an excellent proof of the independence of Chinese justice…

The Chinese government very much wants to present itself to the rest of the world as a government conscious of its responsibilities and the role it tries to play on the international scene; its economic and military power are not sufficient to bring the respect it requires from others. At the very most, some people back off and hide away because of prudence, as misplaced as it is dishonourable. The use of force – against its own people to start with, followed by its neighbours - does not suffice either. On the subject of fundamental liberty and human rights as in Tibet, it is not in ignoring or destroying the past that one can shape the future. And by one of these unexpected about-turns of which history has the secret, perhaps today more than ever, the destiny of China depends on the wisdom its leaders might be able to demonstrate concerning Tibet.

TIBET, HOPE AGAINST HOPE

An incongruity of pictures telescoping into a kaleidoscope of news; two

euphoric Presidents, all smiles and glass in hand, during the visit of Nicolas Sarkozy to Pekin in November 2007 to meet Hu Jintao; the two same Presidents, tense, stiff arms, during a (traditional?) shaking of hands in London in the fringe of the G-20 at the beginning of April 2009. A funereal look, that moreover suited the circumstances, since the two men had just officially (for how long?) buried the noisy quarrel, opportunely made much of by one reproaching the other to have dared to meet the Dalai Lama, this spoilsport idea of lying going round in circles. There had to be a lot of bowing and scraping, several embassies and a number of missions of contrition to soothe the wrath of the dignified heirs of the imperial arrogance of the Forbidden City – on the whole, an act of allegiance to dictatorship, hardly conforming to the Republican ideal nor to the untiring reiteration of the defence of human rights. Hey Presto! It is time for compromise and for the necessity to stay in Realpolitik. Autonomy or independence, the territorial integrity of the empire is considered sacrosanct, and Tibet is not on the Agenda – nor Sino-French relations, nor United Nations authority, and be careful if you dare meddle in the internal affairs of Beijing.

And during this time, up there on the roof of the world, in a country that exists, nevertheless without its existence being duly recognized, the Chinese forces of law and order arrest, harass, torture, rape, beat to death the recalcitrants – monks, nuns, nomads, farmers, students, old or young – these crazy people stubbornly against colonial happiness imposed under the pretext of modernization, liberation of imperialism, and quite recently, the emancipation of serfs, without forgetting democratic reform. One asks what do these Tibetans want, who persist in pretending to want to govern themselves and, in their fashion, build their future by saving their culture, their traditions, their otherness. Nothing more or less than is written in the United Nations Chart…

Literally cut off from the rest of the world, transformed into an open air prison, under unacknowledged martial law, forbidden to look towards the outside, a muzzled Tibet lived through the weeks marking the 50^th anniversary of the Lhassa revolt, the Chinese coup de force against its legitimate government and the beginning of exile. Inside Tibet, a few foolhardy people took the risk to demonstrate, either on their on or in mini-groups, and were quickly imprisoned without any kind of trial. Monks, nuns, young people, nomads, farmers, were arrested – under cover of “troubling the public order”, if not “endangering the security of the State”. Nothing, or very little, filtered through to give an idea of the situation, and it was not the announcement of the re-opening of Tibet to tourists on 5 April that will change much, since journalists and diplomats remain strictly banned. And interested tourist companies are less affirmative, even giving the date of 28 April for the promised opening. As for the people responsible for world affairs, they have too much to do elsewhere to ask for explanations from the torturers, once again blind to the foreseeable consequences of their inconsequence: despots and petty tyrants are quick to take advantage.

The ill-fated recent Conference Against Racism at UN Headquarters in Geneva did not include Tibet on its Agenda. Well of course, whomsoever ventures in these august confines to pronounce its name will rapidly bring on the thunder of the honourable delegates brought out in force so that there should be no attempt against the image of China. In other words, the European Union, Amnesty International or any other NGO, or even country, who” interferes” will immediately be put in their place, on the pretext that “these allegations are based on ignorance and prejudice”, and those who mention them are firmly invited to “get back into the right path and proceed to self-criticism”. The authentic language of the Cultural Revolution, not even reinterpreted, simply taken for the needs of a cause difficult to defend faced with accumulated proofs and testimonies contradicting the soothing official words.

Could it be that the present Chinese leaders are so unsure of their facts as to believe, according to the words of Mao, that “a lie repeated a hundred times becomes the truth”? Truth, perhaps, but completely relative to circumstances, and destined like everything to change because the wheel turns inexorably.

A propaganda offensive without precedent against the Dalai Lama was recently launched, not burdening itself with either scruples or diplomacy, or even the reality of recognized historical facts. One has only to follow the new websites that are springing up with revealing titles such as “Human Rights in Tibet” (and elsewhere? China, for example) or “the Real Tibet” that is obligingly spread out in an exhibition organized with great pomp and ceremony in Beijing for the edification of a carefully chosen public, without forgetting the “reactions of visitors”, even if it means taking the right choice amongst the commentaries or to simply deform what has been said; the classic tricks of the trade of a propaganda bureau, last year rebaptized “publicity”, well run in.

Adding insult to injury, the big shots of the Chinese Communist Party pretend to believe that it is only necessary to wield a truncheon to muzzle the opposition.

Once again, perhaps - but only for a time: it is impossible to dupe the whole word all the time. The Chinese are no longer willing to be taken for fools, like the signatories of Chart 08, still numerous despite the continual harassment to which they are submitted, and which questions the established system of the gun. Links are developed between persecuted democrats and oppressed people, inside as well as outside. A long, so long, patience expresses in its way a form of resistance; liberty takes refuge in the hearts of those who resist, whilst dictatorships disappear. History teaches us that the latter have limited time, that consciences end up by awakening, to shake of the yoke of the tyrant. Without forgetting that the liberty of Tibet is also a metaphor for ours…

Straitjacket Imposed on Tibet

Fifty years, a half-century – how many days, how many nights can be counted in the long hours of exile? And for how long? The mobilization of groups of

sympathizers lit a spark of hope throughout the planet, demonstrating opportunely that a bruised and battered and muzzled Tibet is not forgotten, and will not be forgotten. To the great displeasure of Beijing, the flag with the snow lions has been flying high under various skies, at Town Halls, individual windows, and above the heads of demonstrators; and this, in spite of the warnings issued with neither restraint nor diplomacy by the spokespersons of the Chinese government. Could it be that the present tenants of the Forbidden City are afraid - of whom? of what? - to have got to that point?

In any case, one is obliged to observe that it is indubitably a reaction of fear that has caused the Chinese authorities – so badly – to hide the deployment of military forces in the Region called autonomous as well as in the historic districts of Tibet. The Tibetan territory in its entirety is hermetically forbidden to foreigners – in particular to journalists, specialists, UN experts or travellers, tourists curious about local realities. A few foolhardy people risked a demonstration, either on their own or in small groups, and were immediately and unceremoniously thrown into jail. No foreigner present, or very few, to talk, testify, or shout to the skies, faced with appalling indifference. Was it an effect of “the Great Wall against separatism”, baptized by the present Chinese President? Not long ago, he was called “The Butcher of Lhassa” for having gained his stripes within the Communist Party because of the implacable repression during the protests of 1988/1989. Could he have forgotten - a curious and foolish mistake - that the famous Wall was constructed to protect the empire from “Barbarians”, and to prevent the raids of “Mongol and Tibetan bandits”? A reminder - the construction started before the present era, and its present-day form dates from the 17^th century. A proof, if one was needed, that Tibet has not been part of China for very long time, and that this Region called autonomous is in fact an occupied country…

In mid-March, in Lhassa, the Chinese forces of law and order carried out systematic searches in the Tibetan area, looking for “suspect individuals”, whilst the telephone lines and web servers were cut. In additions, Westerners, Chinese from Tai Wan, Hong Kong or Macau, as well as non-resident Tibetans actually there, were strictly banned by force from the area. Monasteries – useless to talk about them; they are so well guarded that no one, neither monk nor nun nor lay person, can get in or out. And propaganda continues to yell out “it is the fault of the Dalai and his clique…” Which does not hinder the Chinese authorities from choosing this moment to announce their plan for a “modern transformation” of Lhassa (nevertheless already unrecognisable so much does it look Chinese). A certain Mrs. Wang, Director the Water Company 5100 of Tibet, situated in the Dangxiong district, boasts of wanting to create a Chinese Evian-les-Bains. And this lady explains that her enterprise is located near Nam-tso (the lake of heaven), just as “Evian-les-Bains is a little French town with its spa at the foot of the Alps, which has been transformed in a venue and a celebrated brand-name.” This is a very encouraging example for the inhabitants of Tangxion (spelled two different ways in a Xinhua newspaper, and also bearing the Tibetan name of Damshung) as “an economic model, shining example for the north of Tibet”. This must give much pleasure to the inhabitants of the two shores, French and Swiss, of Lake Geneva.

Another facet of the French example was the declaration of 13 March from the Spokesperson of the Quai d’Orsay (French Foreign Office) replying to a question at a regular Press Conference: - “We are not favourable to the independence of Tibet. Our position is absolutely unchanged, and will not change. I would remind you of our support of the territorial integrity of China, and our refusal of secessionist perspectives, or support for the independence of Tibet.” Excellent determination and faultless fidelity to principles; it is not the position that changes, it is the Ministers. Human rights and the right of people to self-determination can all be forgotten, including several recent scathing history lessons. The present holder of the post would doubtless explain that the preparation of G20 in London at the beginning of April - where the French and Chinese Presidents will cross each other’s paths, even meet - has to be carefully handled.

Whilst the official Press Agency Xinhua revolts against “the amnesia and ignorance of the Members of the European Parliament who interfere in Tibetan affairs” (the European Parliament adopted a new Resolution on Tibet on 12 March in Strasbourg), a handful of Nobel prize-winners, represented by Bishop Desmond Tutu and followed by various celebrities, demand in an Open Letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that he should go to Tibet accompanied by journalists and other observers in order to personally evaluate the situation in situ, in order to present a detailed report to the international community.

And during this time, at the Council for Human Rights Ordinary Session in Geneva, the Chinese delegates, on the lookout for trouble, saw red whenever anyone - diplomat, representative of a country or an NGO – dared to pronounce the dishonoured name. Thus, according to the official report of the meeting of 17 March, Madame Yang Jirarong “vigorously rejected the accusations made by the Czech Republic in the name the European Union and by Amnesty International concerning her country. “These allegations are based on ignorance and prejudice”, and more precisely, “in her country, there are numerous people who work for the well-being of the population and the activities of the defenders of human rights are protected.” In conclusion, the honourable delegate expressed the wish that “these delegations get back into the right path and practice self-criticism.” A language that has echoes of the Cultural Revolution and a curious resonance at the UN Palais des Nations…

Let Hope Remain!

All the same… In Prague, Vaclav Havel awarded the «Homo Homini» Prize that crowns the combat for human rights to the lawyer representing Liu Xiabo, still in prison, and to those who signed the Chart 08. The operation of luxury trains for Lhassa foreseen for next April has been delayed for a year…perhaps waiting for the climate to improve? New generations of Tibetans have begun to get used to the modernity imposed by those whom they consider as occupiers, without relinquishing the right to be themselves. In spite of the grief awakened by the recent photos smuggled out of Tibet, a Tibet in a Chinese straitjacket, it is in the darkest hour of the night that one has to believe in the light. And that of the High Plateau is indestructibly joined to the body and the heart of Tibet. If we must realise that time is pressing, that “there are enemies who have no desire to bow to conciliation” (as a friend said to me) neither should it be forgotten that the wheel is turning, that a grain of sand can always jam the best-oiled mechanism, that everything remains possible – the worst as well as the best – and that there is a Springtime for every hope.

"Tibet Film Festival 2009" in London

Dharamshala: To mark the 50th years in exile for the Tibetan community, London-based Through an Exile Lens Project and Tibet House Trust are jointly organizing the "Tibet Film Festival 2009 – Images and Reflections on Tibet" across the United Kingdom, which started on 4 March.

Joanna Lumley, actress and long-term champion of human rights causes, launched the film festival at the Houses of Parliament in London on Wednesday, 4 March.

The festival goes on tour to Oxford, Exeter, Newcastle, Southampton, Sheffield, Glasgow, Hebden Bridge, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Bristol and Manchester until May.

The festival largely focuses on new films made by independent film makers, both Tibetan and from around the world. The festival line-up comprises documentaries filmed undercover in Tibet, material to emerge from both in and outside Tibet in response to the widespread protests which swept across the Tibetan Plateau in 2008 and films that shed light on the little understood system of reincarnation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The programme also includes films exploring Tibet in relation to its neighbours, particularly India and Nepal.

Highlights of the festival include a number of UK films and a special compilation of rarely seen archive footage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Lhasa, capital of Tibet, prior to March 1959 when he visited the great monasteries of Drepung, Sera and Ganden to take his examinations in Buddhist theology. The final examination took place in Lhasa during the Tibetan New Year festival of 1959, just weeks before he was forced to escape into exile to India.

The festival aims to explore the many diverse and intricate aspects of the Tibet issue, whilst equally seeking to stimulate broader discussions on human rights, conflict, freedom and cultural identity within a global context.

The organizers said: "The rich and vibrant Tibetan culture is a part of our common world heritage and has the potential to serve humanity at large. In view of the gravity of the situation in Tibet and the challenges faced by Tibetans, we welcome your thoughts, prayers and support in helping us to fulfill the humane needs of the Tibetan people and in our continued efforts to sustain and keep the Tibetan culture alive."

TIBET YEAR 9 UNDER THE CHINESE BOOT

Tibet, all of Tibet, the region called “autonomous” as well as the historical Eastern border enclaves of Kham and the Amdo in the provinces of Gansu, Sichuan and Qinghai – is once again closed to foreigners until the end of March or April, despite peremptorily re-iterated official affirmations that calm reigns on the roof of the world. During the events of Spring 2008, an as a form of warning, heavy sentences were passed on 76 “agitators against public order”, including 9 monks from Samyé. Just before Losar and above all, before the fateful date of 10 March. A few prisoners in a pitiful state were released for fear they would die in prison. Tibetans in rural zones were forced to “participate” in the New Year’s festivities under the threat of being fined or victimized, although their heart was not in it. Without forgetting the decision, adding insult to injury, of instituting 28 March as a holiday to remember the “day of the liberation of serfs”. Photos were surreptitiously taken, proving the existence of a reinforced and heavily armed military presence in Labrang, in front of the Jokhang in Lhassa, and in other monasteries. There were hundreds of “preventive” arrests (nearly a thousand), warnings and explicit threats – if all this information does not illustrate the daily life of a country not “under control” (as says the official propaganda) but simply occupied, it is a sign that words, which name things, are singularly devalorized. One cannot say more.

And during this time, the United Nations Council for Human Rights, the famous PUE, intended to make a “Periodic Universal Examination”, proudly brandished as a panacea to all the wrongs that caused the discredited Commission for Human Rights to founder, is reviewing the Chinese dossier. An exercise so futile that the Human Rights Watch did not hesitate to call it a failure. Remember that the above-mentioned test is based on reports and documents prepared and provided by the government of the country in the hot seat. The “pairs” are the other members of the Council, that is to say the mandated representatives of member states of the honourable (?) institution. Other members and NGOs can ask questions and present their points of view, which are resumed by the functionaries of the Secretariat of the Council for Human Rights, intended for participants in the debate, of which the number is strictly limited, as well as time allotted for speaking.

Right away, it is apparent that the dice are loaded as far as the examination of the China dossier is concerned; there is no reference in the presentation of the dossier to precise questions from NGOs, while any remark judged (by whom?) as disagreeable from certain (too rare) governments has been removed. So well, that the habitual choir of various dictatorships and authoritarian regimes, now leading the dance at the Council, have all the time in the world to sing the praises of the Chinese regime, after having blissfully listened to the Beijing emissary spelling out the benefits of the regime and creating the happiness of the people and civilizing the “minorities”.

Not a treacherous word on Tibet or the Ouïghours, or imprisoned dissidents, or the unfortunate people deprived of free expression, or the obstinate who still dare to lift their heads; they do not exist. Move on, there’s nothing to see. The silence of democracies – or those that still exist – has become deafening.

And during this time, the Son of the Heaven – excuse me, the Communist Party – on service in Beijing, Hu Jintao in person (he who was called the “butcher of Lhassa” because of his policy of repression in Tibet at the end of the eighties) peacefully made an official tour in a few friendly countries. He started with Saudi Arabia (this other champion of Human Rights, above all those of women), and on the eve of his departure, the official Chinese spokesman hastened to specify that “this journey has had nothing to do with oil, it has been entirely a friendly visit”. That which goes without saying, goes better by saying it. All this did not stop the Chinese friend from signing a pretty contract (nearly three milliard dollars) with his friend the King, for the construction of a monorail in the holy town of Mecca, in order to make the journey of pilgrims easier…

So much for the Managing Director of Alsthom who at the beginning of the year complained about Chinese attempts to export “foreign technology”, contrary to contractual commitments signed with large consortiums, of which his company was a member. The rest of the African journey took place on red carpets in conquered countries, because of course, friendship dos not have a price… At the same time, good old Mr. Raffarin forced himself to coax and wheedle his hosts in Beijing in order to soothe definitively (?) the wounds of Chinese pride and to re-establish “cordial links” between the two countries. And waiting for the next faux pas of “badly informed” public opinion, or a foolhardy official that His Imperial Majesty in Beijing hurries to call to order?

During his recent brief journey in Europe – Rome, Venice and Baden-Baden – the Dalai Lama said, in replying to a question, that the situation was “tense” in Tibet and that trouble could ensue. Beijing reacted a quarter of a turn by accusing him of stirring up trouble, and creating disorder and insecurity. In order to justify the coercive measures announced, the prohibition of journalists going to verify facts on the spot, and an attempt to make people believe in a minutely orchestrated propaganda, without any proof?

A book entitled “We Saw Spain Die” has just been published in the United States. Sixty years of occupation, fifty years of exile and even passive resistance have ALL woven a solid canvas of Tibetan existence for many long years, with the target of the hope of a return put off for too long a time. More than ever, time is flying: endurance, hope and solidarity are necessary to get to the end of the road. So that no one can tomorrow put together a compilation with the title “We saw Tibet Die…”

Claude B. Levenson, February 2009

The Kashag Urges China to Withdraw the Undeclared Martial Law in Tibet

On 29 January the Kashag issued an appeal to Tibetans in Tibet not to engage in protests and to avoid any activity that will bring unnecessary imprisonment, detention and harm. In that appeal, the Kashag has also requested Tibetans in Tibet to avoid any clashes with the Chinese people.

Since then to our deep regret the situation in Tibet has deteriorated by the fact that the PRC authorities have deployed additional troops across the Tibetan plateau. The deployment of additional troops are significant and conspicuous in the Tibetan capital city Lhasa, Labrang Tashikhyil (Ch:Xiahe), Rebgong (Ch:Tongren), Lithang in Kham and in other parts of Tibet.

The PRC authorities' recent remarks that they "will wage a people's war" to crush any potential protest is especially inflammatory and is an incitement for ethnic tension.

The authorities' refusal to permit tourists to visit Tibet is a clear indication that the situation in Tibet is not stable, despite their claims to the contrary.

The Kashag strongly deplore the recent arbitrary arrest, detention and torture that has taken place in Dege, Zogang, Lithang, Nagchuka and other places, for the slightest peaceful expression of the aspirations or resentments of Tibetans.

The Kashag supports the right of every Tibetan in Tibet and elsewhere to not to celebrate the Tibetan New Year as a mark of respect for those Tibetans who sacrificed their lives in the 2008 protests to highlight the deplorable human rights situation in Tibet. At the same time, the Kashag would like to appeal to Tibetans in Tibet to do this with peace and dignity that conform to the values embedded in Tibetan culture.

The Kashag especially regrets the re-launching of the “Strike Hard” campaign, patriotic re-education and forcing Tibetans to celebrate Tibetan New Year. The Kashag is convinced that this show of military force by the PRC authorities and the accompanying Strike Hard campaign are acts of provocation. In view of this the Kashag once again ask the PRC authorities to call off the Strike Hard campaign and to withdraw the undeclared martial law imposed to suppress the Tibetans.

In view of the grave and urgent situation in Tibet the Kashag call upon the parliaments, governments, human rights organisations, Tibet Support Groups and concerned individuals around the world to actively intervene and persuade the PRC authorities to exercise restraint. The PRC authorities must be convinced that repression and military might will not resolve any problems and that tolerance and engagement are the only effective means to bring stability in Tibet.


The Kashag
21 February 2009

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Receives the German Media Prize

Baden Baden, Germany, 10 February 2009 (tibetoffice.ch) - His Holiness the Dalai Lama this evening received the German Media Prize in Baden Baden, Germany. 

“This Award from the media is of special significance,” said His Holiness the Dalai Lama. “In democracy, freedom of press is essential to inform the public about the truth. The truth must been know”, he said.

On his arrival at the hotel, a traditional Tibetan welcome song and dance was presented to His Holiness by the Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein’s dance group who were especial invited for the ceremony.

As the Tibetan national anthem was sung at the start of the German Media Prize ceremony, the Tibetan national flag was shown on large video screens on the stage. Guests wore Tibetan national flag pins on their jacket. 

During His Holiness’ address, he emphasized his three commitments – human value, religious harmony and the Tibetan issue. His Holiness spoke at length the importance of determination and compassion. On the issue of Tibet, he said that situation in Tibet was very tense. 

“The preservation of the Tibetan culture is important not only for the Tibetans but for millions of other Asian people. It is one of the important religions of the world,” he said.

Mr. Roland Koch, the Prime Minister of the German state of Hesse, in his eulogy said His Holiness the Dalai Lama was a special person in the world and history. His Holiness had managed to make people curious about the fate of Tibetans and the nonviolent self-determination of Tibet.

He said there are sharp shooters positioned in tall buildings and lots of security forces in uniform carrying machine guns in Lhasa. However, we don’t see any pictures because for the last 12 months, Tibet has been closed to the media and no pictures are being allowed out.

Mr. Koch a friend of the Tibetan leader for over 20 years is one of the senior politicians in German. He said, “What message will be given to the next generation, if we don’t support a peaceful struggle?”

A 20-member jury consisting of Germany's most important and influential media chief editors voted His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the 2008 Award. 

The award announcement said, "In a time of religious tension, self-destructive, addiction to profit and ongoing violations of human rights, the Dalai Lama actively advocates reconciliation, tolerance, humility and respect. He represents the non-violent struggle for the rights of the Tibetan people, a struggle he has been leading for over 50 years from exile in India." 

Tomorrow His Holiness will return to New Delhi, India.