Dharamshala, India: - The Tibetan parliament in exile called on China to end its inhuman and repressive policies in Tibet, saying all Chinese "policies and programs apart from inhuman political repression are aimed at destroying the identity of the Tibetan people and exploitation of Tibet's rich natural resources."
Dharamshala, India: - The Tibetan parliament in exile called on China to end its inhuman and repressive policies in Tibet, saying all Chinese "policies and programs apart from inhuman political repression are aimed at destroying the identity of the Tibetan people and exploitation of Tibet's rich natural resources." This comes after three separate incidents, all in the past week, that reportedly killed at least ten Tibetans and injured over one hundred. In solidarity with the people in eastern Tibet following the serious crackdowns, Mr. Penpa Tsering, Speaker of the Tibetan parliament in exile, held a press conference on Friday, January 26, attended by various media representatives.
Tibetans inside Tibet mark an escalation of a protest movement that for years expressed itself mainly through scattered individual self-immolations. The speaker told the reporters that "despite PRC's claim of having created a paradise on earth in Tibet in the last 52 years, the growing frustration of Tibetans against the Chinese policies and programs aimed at the annihilation of Tibet's unique identity were reflected in the demonstrations by the Tibetans in Tibet in the late 1980's that continues to this day."
China's "single window policy of development as the one and only means to resolve conflict with no respect for local sentiments has not only contributed to flooding Tibet with Han Chinese, but has led to an unscrupulous extraction of Tibet's mineral resources thereby affecting Tibet's fragile ecology. The benefits of the so called economic development have not percolated down to the Tibetans resulting in economic marginalization of the Tibetans," said Mr. Penpa.
"As President of PRC, you have professed harmonious relationships between nationalities as one of the cardinal principles of nation building," the Tibetan Parliament stated in a letter to President Hu Jintao. "However, what you said and what is implemented is self contradictory. You very well know that Harmony can be built only through mutual understanding and truth and not through brute force and repression."
"China has grown economically and militarily over the years and is considered a world power to reckon with. China's growing influence globally has turned itself into a brash and arrogant monster with no regards for other's sentiments and welfare. Material wealth alone does not bring happiness. Development has to go hand in hand with respect for human freedom and human dignity," said Penpa Tsering.
"We take this opportunity to update you on the growing critical situation inside Tibet and urgently appeal to your government through your high office to immediately take up the matter with the Chinese authorities to diffuse the escalating tension and seek a lasting solution to the Issue of Tibet," Mr. Penpa added.
The exiled Parliament also strongly appealed to the international community and governments around the world to intervene and defuse the current situation in the region. "We call upon you and your government to not only express your concern but also seek your intervention in de-escalating the prevailing dangerous situation inside Tibet and help find a lasting solution to the Issue of Tibet for a mutually beneficial agreement through dialogue."
