The Dalai Lama attacked China's human rights record yesterday, accusing it of "unimaginable and gross violations" in his Himalayan homeland.
"Repression continues to increase with numerous, unimaginable and gross violations of human rights, denial of religious freedom and politicization of religious issues," he told hundreds of flag-waving supporters on the 49th anniversary of his escape to India after an abortive uprising in Lhasa.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner's angry comments came in a speech in the Indian town of Dharamsala and contrasted sharply with what his critics say has been a "soft" approach on China.
PHOTO: AFP
"For nearly six decades Tibetans have had to live in a state of constant fear under Chinese repression," he said.
"All these take place as a result of the Chinese government's lack of respect of the Tibetan people," the 72-year-old told the gathering from his palace in this seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile.
He also complained that Tibet's language, customs and traditions were "gradually fading away" as Tibetans become "an insignificant minority" in their homeland.
Tibetans "have had to live in a state of constant fear, intimidation and suspicion under Chinese repression," he said.
The Dalai Lama, however, said that he would not abandon his call for autonomy in Tibet even though six rounds of talks with the Chinese since 2002 have yielded little result.
"During the past few years, Tibet has witnessed increased repression and brutality. In spite of these unfortunate developments my stand and determination to pursue the `Middle-Way' policy remain unchanged," he said.
He also said August's Beijing Olympics could be a golden opportunity for the international community to expose China over its treatment of Tibetans.
"Besides sending their athletes, the international community should remind the Chinese government of these issues ... China should prove herself a good host by providing these freedoms," he said.
Yesterday also marked the start of a symbolic march home by 100 Tibetans as part of protests ahead of the Beijing Olympics. Several thousand Tibetans, Indians and Westerners waved yellow, blue and red Tibetan flags and cheered on the Buddhist monks in red caps and 10 women who said they planned to make it over the Chinese border.
Italian parliamentarian Sergio D'Elia flagged off the symbolic home trek: "It's the duty of every freedom-loving person to support this march.
The organizers refused to reveal where any attempt would be made to cross the border but said it could take up to six months to reach the Tibetan capital Lhasa.
Tibetan refugees across the world also protested yesterday.
In Nepal, many people were hurt when police used batons to break up a march by about 1,000 Tibetans on the Chinese embassy.
In Greece, a dozen Tibetans activists held a torch-lighting ceremony in Ancient Olympia. Police prevented the Tibetan group, Team Tibet, from entering the Ancient Olympia stadium, and the ceremony took place outside the gates of the site's museum. The group aims to have its Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay pass through 50 cities and end inside Tibet on Aug. 8.
Greek police stopped Tibetan shot-putter Tsultim Golpe as she began her run and took her torch, handing it back later with the flame extinguished. They then escorted the group back to their hotels in Olympia. Officials from China's Athens embassy were in Olympia, filming the ceremony.
NO HUMAN ERROR: After the incident, the Coast Guard Administration said it would obtain uncrewed aerial vehicles and vessels to boost its detection capacity Authorities would improve border control to prevent unlawful entry into Taiwan’s waters and safeguard national security, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday after a Chinese man reached the nation’s coast on an inflatable boat, saying he “defected to freedom.” The man was found on a rubber boat when he was about to set foot on Taiwan at the estuary of Houkeng River (後坑溪) near Taiping Borough (太平) in New Taipei City’s Linkou District (林口), authorities said. The Coast Guard Administration’s (CGA) northern branch said it received a report at 6:30am yesterday morning from the New Taipei City Fire Department about a
IN BEIJING’S FAVOR: A China Coast Guard spokesperson said that the Chinese maritime police would continue to carry out law enforcement activities in waters it claims The Philippines withdrew its coast guard vessel from a South China Sea shoal that has recently been at the center of tensions with Beijing. BRP Teresa Magbanua “was compelled to return to port” from Sabina Shoal (Xianbin Shoal, 仙濱暗沙) due to bad weather, depleted supplies and the need to evacuate personnel requiring medical care, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Jay Tarriela said yesterday in a post on X. The Philippine vessel “will be in tiptop shape to resume her mission” after it has been resupplied and repaired, Philippine Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who heads the nation’s maritime council, said
REGIONAL STABILITY: Taipei thanked the Biden administration for authorizing its 16th sale of military goods and services to uphold Taiwan’s defense and safety The US Department of State has approved the sale of US$228 million of military goods and services to Taiwan, the US Department of Defense said on Monday. The state department “made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale” to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US for “return, repair and reshipment of spare parts and related equipment,” the defense department’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a news release. Taiwan had requested the purchase of items and services which include the “return, repair and reshipment of classified and unclassified spare parts for aircraft and related equipment; US Government
More than 500 people on Saturday marched in New York in support of Taiwan’s entry to the UN, significantly more people than previous years. The march, coinciding with the ongoing 79th session of the UN General Assembly, comes close on the heels of growing international discourse regarding the meaning of UN Resolution 2758. Resolution 2758, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1971, recognizes the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the “only lawful representative of China.” It resulted in the Republic of China (ROC) losing its seat at the UN to the PRC. Taiwan has since been excluded from
RSS