Friends of Tibet Condemn the Arrest of Tenzin Tsundue.

Tenzin Tsundue speaking at “What Does the Tibet Leverage Mean for India Today?” discussion organised by the Tibetan Women’s Association at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi minutes before his arrest by the Indian Police. Tempa Tsering, Special Representative of HH the Dalai Lama in New Delhi; Mohan Guruswamy, Chairman and Founder of Centre for Policy Alternatives and Maj General (Retd) Vinod Saighal next to him.

Friends of Tibet strongly condemn the Arrest of Tenzin Tsundue, noted Tibetan writer-activist who was whisked away by the Indian authorities ahead of Chinese President Hu Jintao’s scheduled arrival in New Delhi for Brics 2012.

In an unfortunate incident this evening, the writer-activist was whisked away by the police officials from New Delhi’s India Habitat Centre where he was speaking at an Academic Dialogue titled “What Does the Tibet Leverage Mean for India Today?” organised by the Tibetan Women’s Association. The authorities gave no reason for it, except for clarifying later that Tenzin Tsundue was under ‘preventive detention’ till March 31, 2012. Tenzin Tsundue was forcibly removed by half a dozen cops in plain clothes and bundled away in an unmarked white Santro car.

Chhaya Sharma, DCP South, Delhi Police, who was herself present at the India Habitat Centre along with a posse of police people refused to reveal any detail of the detention. The action comes on a day dozens of other

Tibetans were arrested or detained across Delhi a day before Chinese leader Hu Jintao arrives at the Indian capital to attend a high-profile BRICS summit. No reason or paperwork was shown by the authorities in any of the cases. The arrest of Tenzin Tsundue and other Tibetan activists comes one day after a 27-year-old Jamphel Yeshi, attempted self-immolation attempt at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Two other Tibetan activists were also arrested from the Press Club of India in New Delhi while demanding the Chinese President Hu Jintao to improve human right situation in occupied Tibet in light of over 30 self immolations by Tibetan monks and nuns.

Pressure Groups and organisations like Tibetan Youth Congress, Core Group for Tibet Cause, Swarajpeeth, Tibetan Women’s Association, Global Gandhian Movement for Swaraj and Friends of Tibet condemned today’s arrest of young Tibet activists. In a statement, Vijay Kranti, journalist and long-term Tibet supporter “urged the Government of India to immediately release Tibetan exile leaders to express themselves freely.” He also demanded that the visiting President Hu Jintao should be tried in the international court of law for his personal involvement in mass murder of hundreds of Tibetan demonstrators in Tibet in 1989 and 2008. “Government of India has brought shame to democratic image of India by arresting Tibetans,” he added.

Friends of Tibet, PO Box 16674, Bombay 400050, India.

Chinese Government Cadres Take Over Tibetan Monasteries

A number of Tibetan monasteries in Nagchu (Chinese: Naqu) Prefecture’s Diru County in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) have been forced to hand over the entire administration and management of the monasteries to groups of cadres sent by the Chinese government.

Around the end of February 2012, the ‘work teams’ with over five members each visited Taklung Monastery and Choelung Monastery and held meetings. At these meetings, the officials decided to transfer all rights and authority of the monasteries to the Chinese government, sources told TCHRD.

The ‘work teams’ also documented details of the monasteries’ assets including all antique pieces and ordered the monastery officials not to make any transaction without official approval.

These monasteries were privately-built and –run by the local monks. Many older monks had worked in the past raising money for the revival of these monasteries.

Monks Protest

The ‘work teams’ also organized ‘patriotic re-education’ sessions provoking some monks to boldly ask the officials whether the government’s public avowal of granting religious freedom was contradictory to forced ‘re-education’ sessions, according to sources.

Fed up with ‘patriotic re-education’ classes and constant questionings over whether they or someone they knew had links with Tibetans living in exile or if there were any former monks of the monasteries now living in India, the monks voluntarily decided to leave the monastery after the forced takeover of their monasteries by the Chinese government.

Tibetans March to Township Office

At the township government office in Markhug village, the work team officials later issued an order stipulating a one-month period for the monks to realize their mistakes and return to their monasteries failing which the officials would use other methods.

This order was issued after mass verbal petitionings by local Tibetans who had marched to the township office and urged the ‘work teams’ stationed there to let the monks return to avoid possible closure of monasteries. The Tibetans said they feared there wouldn’t be any monks left to conduct religious rites and rituals intrinsically important to the practice of their faith. Many feared without the monks, even the dead could not be cremated with necessary rites and rituals.

Monasteries Closed After Mass Boycott

Monasteries such as Bekar, Drong-na, Rabten, and Roggyen had to be closed down after monks staged mass boycott leaving the monasteries empty. In these monasteries, government officials held many ‘re-education’ sessions and attempted to hoist Chinese national flags.

Meanwhile, the local officials have ordered heads of ‘neighborhood committees’ to monitor goings-on in every neighborhood in the county. Under this order, no family can shelter monks or monks who had left their monasteries in protest. And if a family gets information on such monks, they are required to inform the officials.

Tibetan Official Sacked

The village head of Layok village in Diru County, Mr Soegyam, a Tibetan, was fired after he refused to carry out the order of forcing monks to return, according to sources. Mr Soegyam told the officials that the monks did not want to live under constant suffering and surveillance.

According to information received by TCHRD, over 13 officials in Tibet have been sacked since December 2011 for not enforcing the strict new security guidelines in Tibet. On 1 December 2011, the TAR government issued an 18-point regulation that provides directives for handling and managing those cadres who fail to maintain ‘stability’ in Tibet. The heart of the regulation states that cadres who fail to strictly enforce the new security guidelines will face instant demotion followed by prosecution and eventual punishment.

At a meeting in Layok village, the local Tibetans again challenged the ‘work team’ officials complaining about the absence of any monks to carry out religious rituals following the closure of monasteries in the area. The officials in turn asked the Tibetans to handover the ritual money so that they, the officials, could perform the rituals.

Following the meeting which witnessed heated exchanges between the Tibetans and the officials, a group of Tibetans later approached the township office and left a dead body with Chinese Yuan 3,000 so the officials could observe the rituals for the dead person.

There is no information about the current situation in the area as phone lines are not working, sources informed TCHRD.

Dukthen Kyi (Ms)
Researcher and UN Personnel
Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy
Top Floor Narthang Building
Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala
H.P. INDIA 176215
www.tchrd.org office. +91-1892 223363/ 225874

Statement of Kalon Tripa Dr. Lobsang Sangay on the 53^rd Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day

Today, on the 53rd anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day and the fourth anniversary of the 2008 mass protests in Tibet, I offer tribute to the brave people who have sacrificed so much for Tibet. Despite fifty-three years of occupation by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the Tibetan spirit and identity inside Tibet remains unbroken.

On this occasion, I pay homage to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his vision, leadership and benevolence. I also pay my deepest respect and gratitude to our elders for their contribution and tireless effort that have sustained our movement’s growth and dynamism over the past fifty years.

One year ago, when His Holiness the Dalai Lama announced the transfer of his political power to a democratically elected leader, Tibetans were apprehensive and implored him to reconsider. Today, the world recognizes and applauds His Holiness’ vision and magnanimous decision. Tibetans are making a smooth transition with the free, fair and multi-candidate 2011 parliamentary and Kalon Tripa elections that involved exile and diaspora Tibetans in over forty countries.

I am deeply honored by the spiritual blessings, legitimacy, political authority and continuity bestowed upon me by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In his statement at my inauguration ceremony on August 8th, 2011, His Holiness said “when I was young, an elderly regent Takdrag Rinpoche handed over Sikyong (political leadership) to me, and today I am handing over Sikyong to young Lobsang Sangay…in doing this, I have fulfilled my long-cherished goal.”

I am also enormously moved by the solidarity and endorsements from Tibetans inside Tibet during the elections and since assuming my political post. I have had many deeply moving encounters with hundreds of Tibetans from Tibet as they generously offered their blessings and support.

Blessed by the historic transfer of political power from His Holiness, empowered by the mandate received from the people, and buoyed by the support and solidarity from Tibetans inside Tibet, I can say with pride and conviction that the Central Tibetan Administration legitimately represents and speaks for all six million Tibetans.

Beijing’s view that a generational change in leadership may weaken the Tibetan freedom movement has not and will never materialize.  The resiliency of the Tibetan spirit combined with a coming generation of educated Tibetans will provide dynamic leadership and sustain the movement till freedom is restored in Tibet.

If the Chinese government’s claim that Tibetans enjoy freedom and equality are true, then it should allow democratic, transparent, free and fair elections in Tibet. In the fifty-three years of Chinese occupation, no Tibetan has ever held the Party Secretary post of the so- called Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Chinese hold majority of the decision-making positions in all branches of the government and constitute more than fifty percent of the public sector workforce. Seventy percent of the private sector enterprises are owned or operated by Chinese. Forty percent of Tibetan high school and college graduates are unemployed.

The Tibet issue concerns far more than the rights and welfare of six million Tibetans. It impacts the entire planet. The unique Tibetan culture, with its rich language, spirituality and history must be protected. The Tibetan plateau is the ‘world’s third pole’ as it contains the largest ice fields outside the two poles. Tibetan glaciers, the source of ten major rivers, affect the lives of more than 1.5 billion people. Billions of dollars worth of mineral resources are exploited annually to fuel China’s economy. Decades of logging have reduced Tibet’s pristine forest cover by half. Clearly, the management of this global common, and the Tibetan people’s traditional role as its stewards, ought to be a planetary concern.

When China invaded Tibet in 1949, it promised to usher in a ‘socialist paradise.’ In actuality Tibetans are treated as second-class citizens. When Tibetans gather peacefully and demand basic rights as outlined in the Chinese constitution, they are arrested, fired upon and killed as in the January 23-24th peaceful protests when Chinese were celebrating their new year. The Communist Party cadre members in the TAR have been ordered to prepare for a “war” against the Tibetan protestors.

In stark contrast, in Wukan (Guangdong Province), protests by Chinese people lasted weeks, their grievances were addressed, one of the protest leaders was appointed as the new Party Secretary for the village, and provincial authorities even supported free village elections.

Intellectuals, artists and leaders in Tibet are being arbitrarily arrested and imprisoned. Thousands of pilgrims recently returning from India have been detained and many have disappeared. Tibetans, including monks and nuns, are forced to denounce the Dalai Lama and attend patriotic re-education classes. Foreigners and international media are barred from Tibetan areas.

A Chinese scholar recently observed there are “more Chinese than Tibetans, more police than monks, more surveillance cameras than windows” in Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet. The entire region is under undeclared martial law.

China has built many airfields in Tibet, stationed many more divisions of the PLA, begun expanding the railway line to the borders of neighboring countries, and dispatched thousands of paramilitary forces into Tibetan areas. Tibet has become one of the most militarized areas in the region.

Today, there is no space for any conventional protests such as hunger strikes, demonstrations and even peaceful gatherings in Tibet. Tibetans are therefore taking extreme actions such as the one by26Tibetans who have committed self-immolations since 2009. His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the CTA have always discouraged such drastic actions. However, despite our pleas, Tibetans continue to self-immolate with 14 cases already in 2012. Fault lies squarely with the hardline leaders in Beijing, so does the solution. The self-immolations are an emphatic rejection of the empty promises of the so-called ‘socialist paradise.’

The Tibetan struggle is not against the Chinese people or China as a nation. It is against the PRC government’s policies. China must acknowledge the depth of the problems in Tibet and understand they cannot be solved through violence.

To address the tragedy in Tibet, I call on Beijing to accept our Middle Way Policy, which seeks genuine autonomy for Tibetans within the framework of the Chinese constitution and as proposed in the Memorandum and Note of 2008 and 2010 respectively. Hong Kong and Macao have been granted high degree of autonomy. Despite resistance from Taiwan, China has offered Taiwan a high degree of autonomy towards re-unification. Why are Tibetans still not granted genuine autonomy as stipulated in the Chinese constitution?

We hope that China’s upcoming leaders will initiate genuine change, and that they find the wisdom to admit the government’s long- standing hardline policy in Tibet has failed. We have chosen to move down a mutually beneficial path even though Tibet historically enjoyed independent status and Tibetans have the right to self-determination according to international law. Concerned Chinese citizens and intellectuals should make an effort to seek the truth and understand why Tibetans are protesting and self-immolating. Dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the Tibet issue are in the best interest of China, the Chinese people and Tibetans.

We stand ready to send envoys to resume the dialogue process even though the Chinese envoy belonging to the United Front Work Department has of late invested far more energy traveling around the world and making outrageous attacks on His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the CTA led by the Kalon Tripa. In the process they have actually further internationalized the Tibet issue.

A key reason for creating the United Nations was the pursuit of human rights. I urge the UN to live up to its objective and address the crisis in Tibet by appointing a Special Rapporteur and visiting Tibet.

The international community and media must send a fact-finding delegation into Tibet to remove the veil of censorship and disinformation campaign. “Even Pyongyang (North Korea) has an international media presence, which is not the case in Lhasa,” says Reporters Without Borders.

I appeal to the officials and member states of ASEAN and SAARC to include the Tibet issue in your agenda given Tibet’s geopolitical and environmental significance affecting billions of Asians. A China that is able to address the Tibet issue will make it a more peaceful neighbor and contribute to harmony and stability in the region.

To my fellow Tibetans, now is the time to show solidarity and support with our brothers and sisters in Tibet. We must give education top priority so that educated and community-minded Tibetans will provide dynamic leadership and sustain the Tibetan movement till freedom is restored in Tibet. The Kashag would like to request that mantras and prayers be recited every Wednesday for those who have sacrificed their lives for the Tibetan cause. Younger Tibetans should embrace and celebrate our proud heritage and identity by wearing, speaking and eating Tibetan every Wednesday.

Let us make 2012 a Tibet Lobby Year. In this Tibetan New Year, I call upon all Tibetans and friends to reach out to elected representatives at the state and national levels in your countries. Invite and educate them about Tibet and the efforts of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the CTA. Generate debate about Tibet and get legislations passed in support of Tibet and the Tibetan people. Initiate activities that raise the profile of Tibetan democracy and visibility of Tibetan political leadership and the CTA.

The fourteenth Kashag will make maximum efforts to realize our larger goal, as well as take steps to prepare the Tibetan people and institutions for the 21st century under the guiding principles of unity, innovation and self-reliance. The Kashag again urges all Tibetans and friends participating in various solidarity activities to ensure that the activities are undertaken peacefully, in accordance with local laws, and with dignity. Please remember non-violence and democracy are two of our constant principles.

The Tibetan people and current Kashag are extremely blessed to have the continuing presence and wisdom of His Holiness the great 14^thDalai Lama. The Kashag extends absolute support to the historic statement issued on September 24, 2011 by His Holiness concerning his reincarnation. We believe His Holiness alone has the right to determine his reincarnation, and that the communist government of China has absolutely no say or role in this matter.

I would like to take this occasion to thank all governments, especially the governments of United States, Europe and Asia, organizations, Tibet Support Groups, and individuals who have supported the Tibetan people. Your support is greatly appreciated. I also call on our old and new friends alike to reinvigorate the Tibet Support Groups around the world. We need you more than ever at this critical time. The Kashag would also like to acknowledge the full cooperation of the Chitue Lhentsok and looks forward to a productive partnership in serving Tibet and Tibetan people.

I am also happy to express the Tibetan people’s deepest and continued gratitude to the government and people of India for their generous hospitality and kindness over the past five decades. My appreciation has grown tremendously since becoming the political head of the Tibetan people. Hardik Shukriya!

Lastly, to our dear brothers and sisters in Tibet, we would like to say that you are in our hearts and prayers every day. We will walk side by side with you till freedom is restored for Tibetans and His Holiness the Dalai Lama returns to Tibet. I pray for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. May our long cherished goal of freedom and reuniting in the Land of Snows be realized soon!

March 10, 2012, Dharamsala

Memorandum on the Call for an EU Special Coordinator for Tibetan Affairs

Posted on 05 März 2012

by Kelsang Gyaltsen, Envoy of H. H. the Dalai Lama, February 2012

The Tibetan struggle: A case of exemplary non-violent struggle for freedom

For over five decades, under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan freedom struggle has remained strictly non-violent.  After the devolution of his political authority to the democratically elected leaders of the Central Tibetan Administration, the Tibetan political leadership in exile has made clear that it will continue to abide by the path of non-violence and not seek separation from China or independence for Tibet.  The Central Tibetan Administration will continue to strive for genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people within the framework of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) through dialogue and negotiations.  Thus, the Tibetan freedom struggle is not only an exemplary non-violent movement but is also a model for political moderation, democracy and the spirit of dialogue and reconciliation.

Tibetan resistance in Tibet remains strong

In March 2008, the third generation of Tibetans, born and grown up under Chinese Communist rule, rose up against the oppressive Chinese rule. Tibetans from all walks of life and across the entire Tibetan plateau demonstrated against the oppressive and discriminatory policies of the Chinese authorities in Tibet.  With full awareness of the imminent danger to their lives, young and old, men and women, monastic and lay people, believer and non-believers, including students, came together to spontaneously express their anguish, dissatisfaction and genuine grievances at the policies of the Chinese government.

Brutal crack-down of demonstrations in Tibet

Sadly, the Chinese authorities have resorted to brutal methods to deal with the situation in Tibet, despite appeals by many world leaders, NGOs and personalities of international standing to avoid violence and show restraint.  Today, in many parts of Tibet, there is a huge presence of armed police and military.  In many areas Tibetans continue to suffer under a state of de-facto martial law.  There is an atmosphere of angst and intimidation.  With no international observers, journalists or even tourists allowed into many parts of Tibet, the Chinese authorities have a completely free hand in Tibet.

A culture facing the threat of destruction

The effect of present policy in Tibet – whether deliberately or unintentionally – amounts to a cultural genocide.  The marginalization of the Tibetans and Tibetan way of life is taking place at an alarming pace.  “Development” is designed to assimilate Tibet into the Chinese society and culture and to overwhelm Tibetans demographically by transferring large number of Chinese to Tibet and reducing the local Tibetan population to an insignificant minority.  The Tibetan Buddhist religion, culture, language, identity and way of life are under threat of total destruction in Tibet.  There is, therefore, an urgent need for a strong signal by the international community to protect Tibet from this threat of cultural genocide.

Despair and frustration leading to self-immolations

The deteriorating situation in Tibet and the lack of any progress in the dialogue process with the Chinese government are deepening the sense of frustration and alienation among Tibetans.  Tension, restlessness and bitterness are on the increase among Tibetans.  The intransigence of the Chinese government on the issue of Tibet on the one hand and the absence of strong, visible and concrete support for Tibet by the international community on the other hand are causing despair and radicalism among Tibetans compelling them to acts of self-immolations.

Since February 2009, there have been 25 cases of self-immolations.  Alone in the past 12 months, 24 Tibetans resorted to this drastic act of political protest and 18 of them are believed to have died (updated as of 5 March 2012).

The Tibetan leadership in exile will continue to discourage such drastic acts of protest.  However, there is an urgent need for members of the international community to send a strong message of hope and solidarity to the Tibetans inside Tibet.  This will give them hope and inspiration in a situation of deep sense of frustration and despair and will help in persuading them to refrain from such acts of despair.

The European Union’s human rights dialogue with China

The European Parliament consistently expresses deep concern about the plight of the Tibetan people and encourages negotiations between the government of the PRC and His Holiness the Dalai Lama or his representatives to resolve the issue of Tibet and it has adopted a number of significant resolutions to that effect.  However, despite the strong support for Tibet within the European Parliament, so far the initiatives on Tibet taken by the EU Council and Commission have been few and seem to lack a clear and sustained policy.  Today, it is clear and undeniable that raising the Tibet issue within the framework of the EU-China human rights dialogue alone has failed to bring any tangible results.  It is obvious that this approach is inadequate and does not do justice to the complexity of the Tibetan problem.  The human rights dialogue with China has failed to improve the human rights of the Tibetan people and has failed to achieve a constructive dialogue between His Holiness the Dalai Lama or his representatives and the Chinese leadership.  Indeed, after the Olympic Games in Beijing in August 2008, the Chinese government’s repression in and attitude on Tibet has hardened significantly.

Time for a concerted international effort on Tibet

Against this background it is high time to act on Tibet.  It is of crucial importance to increase efforts to bring about a positive change in the situation of Tibet.

In this context it has been a tremendous encouragement for the Tibetan people, when in 1997 US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright announced the appointment of the first US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Affairs.  The creation of this position has provided a focus for engaging with the US Administration on a breath of issues – humanitarian assistance, diplomatic support, multilateral strategies, sharing information and, ultimately, shaping policy.  It has ensured a significant level of attention to Tibet at the highest level of political interaction between the US and China.  Most importantly, the Office of the Tibet Coordinator provides the necessary impetus with the US Administration for a consistent US policy in promoting dialogue between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government.

A firm and consistent policy on Tibet makes progress

As a result President Obama and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, have met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in February 2010 and July 2011. President Obama expressed his strong support for the preservation of Tibet’s unique religious, cultural, and linguistic identity, and the protection of human rights for the Tibetans in China. He commended the Dalai Lama’s “Middle-Way” approach, commitment to non-violence, and the pursuit of dialogue with the Chinese government. Moreover, President Obama has called both publicly and privately for substantive dialogue between the Dalai Lama’s representatives and the Chinese government. Similarly, Secretary Clinton and Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg have raised the issue of human rights in Tibet and the “need for China to have a deeper engagement with the Dalai Lama over Tibet within the framework of one-China-policy [...]” on multiple occasions.

Since assuming her position as Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues in October 2009, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Maria Otero, has met His Holiness the Dalai Lama five times.  She travelled two times to India to meet and consult with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and members of the democratically elected Tibetan political leadership, and to visit Tibetan refugee settlements in order to assess the humanitarian needs of the refugee community as well as the requirements for the preservation of Tibetan culture, religion and language.  She also visited Nepal and inspected the Tibetan Refugee Reception Centre in Kathmandu, where new Tibetan refugees from Tibet are being registered and taken care. Moreover, Under Secretary Otero maintains close contact with the Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama based in Washington D.C. on all issues concerning Tibet and the Tibetans.

Under Secretary Otero in her capacity as the US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues has been holding regular joint sessions with Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Kurt M. Campbell and with the White House National Security Council Senior Director for Asian Affairs, Jeffrey A. Bader and his successor Daniel R. Russel, and the Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lodi G. Gyari to discuss and coordinate all aspects of the US policy on Tibet.  Moreover, the US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues in cooperation with the Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama has taken the initiative to invite the ambassadors of those governments interested in the issue of Tibet to working luncheons in order to share information and opinions, and discuss common efforts and approaches.

The appointment of a US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues and the adoption of the Tibetan Policy Act by the US Congress in 2002 and signed into law by President George W. Bush on September 30, 2002 have created a strong basis for a coherent, consistent and sustained US policy on Tibet.  This sends the right signal to the Chinese leadership that this issue will continue to remain an important agenda in the US-China relations unless and until China addresses it seriously and realistically.

This robust US policy on Tibet did not affect the Sino-US relation in any tangible way. In contrast to Europe the regular meetings of the US President and the Secretary of State with His Holiness the Dalai Lama result only in routine diplomatic protests.  This is a clear indication that the firm and consistent policy of US Administrations in succession on the issue of Tibet has led to the recognition and acceptance by Beijing that Tibet has high status in US-China bilateral relations and cannot be avoided.

A mandate from the citizens of Europe to act on Tibet

There is a need for a coordinated multilateral effort to bring about a change in the position and attitude of the Chinese leadership on the issue of Tibet.  The European Union is ideally suited to champion the peaceful resolution of the Tibetan problem through dialogue and negotiations.  The Union has political weight and enjoys high international standing.  The European Parliament has called in numerous resolutions for strong and effective actions by the Union to ensure respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Tibetan people and to promote negotiations between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government.  In 1998, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the Council to appoint an EU Special Representative for Tibet.  The European Parliament has reiterated this call for the appointment of an EU Special Representative for Tibet in successive resolutions adopted in 2002, 2007, 2008 and 2011.

The Tibetan cause has a strong base of support in Europe.  In almost every European country there exist Tibet support groups.  People throughout Europe feel deeply committed to the Tibetan cause as a matter of moral principle.  They welcome their governments taking initiatives to promote a just and peaceful solution to the Tibetan problem.  The widespread sympathy for Tibet among Europeans and the large number of resolutions on Tibet by the European Parliament present a clear mandate for the EU Council and Commission to take the initiative on Tibet and to appoint an EU Special Coordinator for Tibetan Affairs.

An EU Special Coordinator for Tibetan Affairs

The central objective of the EU Special Coordinator for Tibetan Affairs should be to promote substantive dialogue and negotiations between the Government of the PRC and His Holiness the Dalai Lama or his representatives.  Towards this aim he or she should develop a new and more effective and consistent policy.  The EU Special Coordinator should maintain close contact with leaders of the Tibetan people and make efforts to travel to India, Tibet and to China.  The Special Coordinator should promote the EU policy pressing for respect for human rights and encouraging the preservation of and respect for the distinct culture, religion, language and identity of Tibet.  The Office of the EU Special Coordinator for Tibetan Affairs should also provide a focus for engaging with the Council, Commission, Parliament and the member states of the European Union on wide range of issues concerning the Tibetan people – from humanitarian and educational assistance, cultural preservation to information sharing, diplomatic support and multilateral strategies to shaping policy.

Concluding remarks

The appointment of an EU Special Coordinator for Tibetan Affairs is a crucial step for a sustained and effective role for the European Union to help to resolve the Tibetan problem peacefully.  This appointment will send a strong message of hope and solidarity to the Tibetans inside Tibet.  It demonstrates that the European Union has not forgotten the plight of the Tibetan people and that it has not abandoned them.  It will reflect the strong commitment of the EU to play a crucial and constructive role in resolving the issue of Tibet peacefully.

This appointment will be a great source of hope and inspiration and will go a long way in persuading Tibetans not to despair and not to resort to drastic acts of protest.  It is a strong gesture of concern, commitment and solidarity that will help in strengthening and sustaining the spirit and hope of the oppressed and persecuted Tibetans.

A peaceful resolution of the Tibetan issue will not only bring great benefit to Tibet and China and enhance stability and peace in the region but will have great consequences for the global political culture, too.  The Tibetan freedom struggle has gained international fame in championing non-violence and democracy.  Consequently, the success or failure of the non-violent freedom struggle of the Tibetan people will directly impact the outcome of the international effort to promote and cultivate a global political culture based on non-violence, dialogue and democracy.