Reportage – 2008

Dalai Lama laments brutal Chinese policies

MCLEOD GANJ, India, 11 March 2008 — The Dalai Lama accused China of unimaginable and gross human rights violations in Tibet on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising on Monday.

He said that the Tibetans in Tibet have been living in a state of constant fear, intimidation and suspicion under Chinese repression for nearly six decades. "And during the past few years, Tibet has witnessed increased repression and brutality," he said.

As a result of numerous Chinese actions, the language, customs and traditions of Tibet, which reflect the true nature and identity of the Tibetan people, are gradually fading away, he pointed out.

The Dalai Lama also expressed his concerns over the devastation of the environment and the population transfer policy into Tibet, reducing native Tibetans to an insignificant minority in their own country.

"All these take place as a result of the Chinese government's lack of respect for the Tibetan people."

Despite the unfavourable treatment against the Tibetan people by the repressive Chinese policies, the Dalai Lama expressed his commitment to the Middle-Way policy to resolve the Tibetan issue, although six rounds of talks between the two sides since 2002 had yielded almost no result. He believes that the policy, which is seeking autonomy, not independence for Tibet, is mutually beneficial to both Tibetans and Chinese.

Welcoming China as the host of the Olympic games 2008, the Dalai Lama said that China should prove herself a good host by upholding the principles of freedom of speech, freedom of expression, equality and friendship.

"Besides sending their athletes, the international community should remind the Chinese government of these issues," he added.

One hundred Tibetans started a "Return home to Tibet" march on the same day on Monday. Italian parliamentarian Sergio Delia flagged off the march. Aasha Reddy from Chennai, a long time supporter of the Tibetan people, joined the marchers to show her support and solidarity for them.

The march, organised by five Tibetan organisations — Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women's Association, Gu Chu Sum (ex-political prisoners' organisation), National Democratic Party of Tibet, and Students for a Free Tibet — was to tell the world that "Tibet belongs to Tibetans". The march has been planned to last for about six months.

After reaching their stop for the night, however, the marchers were issued a notice by the district police to stop from moving further. The ban was issued following the orders of the government of India. According to last reports, the marchers were back on the road despite the police order.

The fourth leg of the Tibetan Olympics torch relay also took place at the uprising commemoration function. The torch was lit after the official function of the uprising anniversary at the main temple. A few Tibetan youth, their face painted with Tibetan flags, held the torch for the Mcleod Ganj leg of the opening of the relay. It was later carried by different people including western supporters marching behind the "Return home to Tibet" marchers, until Kacheri in Dharamshala.