For decades, Tenzin Gyatso, 76, the 14th Dalai Lama – a lineage believed by followers to be the reincarnation of an ancient Buddhist leader who epitomized compassion – has vigorously focused on the connections between the investigative traditions of science and Buddhism as a way to better understand and advance what both disciplines might offer the world.

Specifically, he encourages serious scientific investigative reviews of the power of compassion and its broad potential to address the world’s fundamental problems – a theme at the core of his teachings and a cornerstone of his immense popularity.

Within that search, the “big questions” he raises – such as “Can compassion be trained or taught?” – reflect the deep interest of the founder of the Templeton Prize, the late Sir John Templeton, in seeking to bring scientific methods to the study of spiritual claims and thus foster the spiritual progress that the Prize has recognized for the past 40 years.

The announcement was made this morning online at www.templetonprize.org, via email to journalists, and on Twitter via @TempletonPrize by the Templeton Prize office of the John Templeton Foundation in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

The Prize will be presented to the Dalai Lama at a ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on the afternoon of Monday, May 14. A news conference with the 2012 Prize Laureate will precede the ceremony. Both events will be webcast live at www.templetonprize.org and to global media on a pool basis. Photography from the events will also be pooled.

Valued at £1.1 million (about $1.7 million or €1.3 million), the prize is the world’s largest annual monetary award given to an individual and honors a living person who has made exceptional contributions to affirming life’s spiritual dimension.

The announcement praised the Dalai Lama for his life’s work in building bridges of trust in accord with the yearnings of countless millions of people around the globe who have been drawn by the charismatic icon’s appeal to compassion and understanding for all.

“With an increasing reliance on technological advances to solve the world’s problems, humanity also seeks the reassurance that only a spiritual quest can answer,” said Dr. John M. Templeton, Jr., president and chairman of the John Templeton Foundation and son of the late Prize founder. “The Dalai Lama offers a universal voice of compassion underpinned by a love and respect for spiritually relevant scientific research that centers on every single human being.”

He also noted that the Dalai Lama’s remarkable record of intellectual, moral and spiritual innovations is clearly recognized by the nine Prize judges, who represent a wide range of disciplines, cultures and religious traditions. The Prize judges evaluate – independently of each other – typically 15 to 20 nominated candidates each year and then individually submit separate ballots – from which a tally then determines the selection of each year’s Laureate.

The Dalai Lama responded to the prize in the humble style that has become his signature. “When I heard today your decision to give me this quite famous award, I really felt this is another sign of recognition about my little service to humanity, mainly nonviolence and unity around different religious traditions,” he said in a video available at www.templetonprize.org.

In other brief videos on the Prize website, the Dalai Lama elaborates on key issues including his call for humanity to embrace compassion as a path to peace, both personally and on a global scale. “You can develop genuine sense of concern of well-being of others, including your enemy,” he states in one video. “That kind of compassion – unbiased, unlimited – needs training, awareness.”

The Right Reverend Michael Colclough, Canon Pastor at St. Paul’s Cathedral, welcomed this event: “A non-violent voice of peace and reason in a calamitous world, the Dalai Lama represents core values cherished by many different faiths. The award of the Templeton Prize to the Dalai Lama under the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral will be a reminder that working towards peace and harmony is a practical and spiritual challenge to all faith communities.”

The Dalai Lama is no stranger to honors and accolades, with scores to his name. In 1989, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his advocacy of nonviolence as the path to liberation for Tibet. He becomes the second Templeton Prize Laureate to have also received the Nobel Peace Prize; Mother Teresa received the first Templeton Prize in 1973, six years before her Nobel.

He often notes that the rigorous commitment of Buddhists to meditative investment and reflection similarly follows the strict rules of investigation, proof and evidence required of science.

Among his most successful efforts is the Mind & Life Institute, co-founded in 1987 to create collaborative research between science and Buddhism. The Institute hosts conferences on subjects such as contemplative science, destructive and healing emotions, and consciousness and death. While initially beginning as quiet academic affairs, they have evolved into enormously popular public events.

In 2005, after a series of dialogues at Stanford University among the Dalai Lama, scientists in the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and medicine, and contemplative scholars, the university became the home of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education. The interdisciplinary discourse recognized that engagement between cognitive sciences and Buddhist contemplative traditions could contribute to understanding of the human mind and emotion. The center now supports and conducts rigorous scientific studies of compassion and altruistic behavior.

Many of these conferences have led to popular best sellers written or co-written by the Dalai Lama, including The Art of Happiness (1998), The Universe in a Single Atom (2005), and The Dalai Lama at MIT (2006). All told, he has authored or co-authored more than 70 books.

The Dalai Lama’s love of science is also evidenced in the Science for Monks program, created in 2001 to teach science in Buddhist monastic centers of higher learning in India. The program engages Indian and Western scientists to explore connections between Tibetan Buddhist traditions and science, and teach methods of scientific inquiry in physics, quantum mechanics, cosmology, biology, neuroscience, and mathematics.

This openness to new ideas and cutting edge findings has set him in the rare pantheon of internationally respected religious leaders and also has given him a stature among secular audiences unlike any other religious leader.

Indeed, in his recommendation to the Prize committee, Richard Davidson, founder of the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, wrote, “More than any other living human being, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has served humanity to catalyze the advancement of ‘spiritual progress’ and to help us all to cultivate a better understanding of the spiritual dimensions of human experience.”

The two Tibetans – Tenpa Dargey, 22, and Chimey Palden, 21, monks from the Tsodun Kirti monastery in Gyalrong – set themselves outside the prefectural government offices in Barkham on 30 March. Both Tenpa Dargey and Chimey Palden are from Kholachang village in Tsodun town, Barkham.

Both the monks had been taken to a government hospital immediately following the incident. Monks from Tsodun monastery rushed towards Barkham to take the two monks into their custody. But they were stopped 32 km from the monastery, at a place called Dzeto, by armed police and special police forces, who sent them back to the monastery. Their present condition remains unknown.

The Chinese government has imposed security blockade around the prefectural government headquarters by deploying a large number of special armed police.

Tenpa Dargey studied philosphy at Kirti monastery in Ngaba from 2003-2009. While studying in Tsodun monastery, he was regarded as one of the best students in the logical debate class. He was the youngest of four brothers and sisters.

Chimey Palden joined Kirti monastery as a philosophy student in 2009, but stayed only for a few months. During a visit to Lhasa in 2010, he was arbitrarily detained by public security bureau for keeping His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s photo, the Tibetan national flag and a nationalist song in his mobile phone.

The Tsodun Kirti monastery is located 82 km from Barkham town. The formal name of the monastery is Ganden Tashi Choeling. The monastery has currently at least 300 monks. It is one of the largest Gelugpa monasteries in Gyalrong.

Since 2009, 34 Tibetans have set themselves on fire calling for freedom and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s return to his homeland. 23 of these self-immolators have died, and others are either critically injured or remain unaccounted for. (Read Fact Sheet)

Reiterating the US government’s deep concern over the tense situation in Tibet, State Department Spokeperson Victoria Nuland on Wednesday said: “We remain deeply concerned about the tensions and the human rights violations in the Tibetan areas.”

“China’s own continuing vilification of the Dalai Lama and repeated accusations with regard to the Dalai Lama and saying that he’s directly involved adds to the Tibetan grievances and just makes the situation worse. So we continue to call on China to respect the human rights of Tibetans and to allow journalists in, et cetera,” Nuland said.

The seminar was attended by over one hundred people including members of the European Parliament, Parliamentary assistants, diplomats, Representatives of non-governmental organisations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Tibet Support Groups, members of the Belgium Tibetan Community, EU officials and the member of the Press.

The seminar took place in two panels : the first panelists consisted of  Dr Françoise Robin, an associate professor of Tibetan language and literature at INALCO, Paris, Ms Dechen Pemba, the editor of the website High Peaks Pure Earth that monitors the Tibetan blogosphere and translates Tibetan blogs into English, Mr Lama Jabb, a Tibetan currently pursuing PhD in Modern Tibetan Literature at Oxford University and Ms Rigzin Choedon Genkhang, Special Assistant to the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the office of Tibet, Brussels.

Mr McMillan-Scott who chaired the first panel, introduced the speakers and welcomed the audience to the seminar following which a one minute silence was observed in honour of the Tibetans who self-immolated for the cause of Tibet.

“It is sad reality that it has been over six decades since Communist China’s invasion and Tibet is still occupied. Tibetans living inside Tibet are still repressed and terrorised by their invaders” said Mr. McMillan-Scott.

He further said, in the last year we have witnessed an even more tragic turn of events with as many as 31 Tibetans now having self-immolated. The act itself, forbidden in the Buddhist faith, demonstrates the desperation of Tibetan people at the continued illegal occupation of Tibet by China. Despite the enormous sacrifice – with at least 22 confirmed dead so far – the international community has not spoken out strongly, and has passed no sanctions against China.

He continued saying that it was time for Europeans – politicians and citizens – to show their support for Tibet, and to increase the pressure for a harder line to be taken on China’s continues violations of human rights.

Dr Françoise Robin, gave an account on the language protests that took place inside Tibet and informed the audience about Zhu Weiqun’s call to end nationality labelling in PRC which would threaten the cultural identities of the minorities including the Tibetans.

Ms Pemba, told the audience that she often noticed during debates on Tibet in the free world, the voices of people from inside Tibet were missing.  She therefore, shared a poem entitled “mourning” by a Tibetan blogger from Tibet and the transcripts of Lama Soepa la’s testimony in English. She also shared with the audience concerns being raised by the Chinese and Tibetan bloggers from inside China on the recent spate of self-immolations in Tibet and also shared the comments being posted by the visitors to these blogs.

Mr Strider, in his speech emphasized the importance of sending a fact-finding delegation to Tibet and shared the testimony of Mr Jampal Yeshi who self-immolated on 26 March 2012.

Mr Jabb, explained the self-immolations through the historical context and said it was a product of resistance since the invasion of Tibet and the wrong policies of the Chinese government. He further added that the suppression of the Tibetan language by the Chinese government was certainly one of the reasons for the current protests.

Ms Genkhang, pointed out that the wrong policies of the Chinese government for the past six decades were the real causes of Tibetan resentment and that the self-immolators were its victims.   While calling on the International Community for its support, she said that it was vital in sustaining the hopes of the Tibetan people and thus the Tibetan movement non-violent. She called on the EU;

To urge the Chinese government to refrain from using excessive and disproportionate force against unarmed and peaceful protesters

To open up Tibet to UN and international observers and media

To send a fact finding delegation to Tibet

To urge the Chinese government to immediately resume dialogue for a way forward on the basis of the Middle Way policy initiated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama

To appoint an EU Special Coordinator for Tibetan Affairs to send a strong message of EU’s concern, to monitor closely all aspects of the human rights situation in Tibet and coordinate with UN and other international agencies, to facilitate the process of dialogue for an early mutually beneficial and acceptable solution to the current problems as supported by the European Parliament in its successive resolutions on Tibet.

The second panel consisted of MEPs such as Mr Thomas Mann, President of the Tibet Intergroup, Ms Eva Lichtenberger, Vice-President of the Tibet Intergroup, Mr Ramon Tremosa i Balcells, Mr Csaba Sogor and Dr Gerhard Sabathil, representative of the European External Action Service (EEAS). All the MEPs expressed their concern regarding the ongoing spate of self-immolations and called on the EEAS to consider the appointment of the EU special coordinator for Tibetan Affairs.

After the intervention of the panelists, the floor was open to the audience for a question and answer session.

Ms Ojuland in her closing remark said that this seminar on Tibet was not the last one and that she would continue pushing for the appointment of the EU Special Coordinator for Tibetan Affairs and her proposition to visit Tibet along with His Holiness the Dalai Lama was still open.

“The Chinese authorities’ heavy-handed measures in Tibetan-populated areas, especially in Sichuan province, give rise to serious concerns. The EU was alarmed by recent reports about the violent suppression of protests in this region, which led to many injured and several fatalities,” said the EU delegation.

EU called on China to allow all Tibetans, including monks, to exercise their cultural and religious rights without hindrance. EU said China must refrain from the use of force against peaceful protest and to improve the human rights situation in Tibet as well as in other parts of China, as a means to ensuring peace and stability. The EU also called for the unconditional release of all those imprisoned and detained solely for the peacefully exercising their basic rights, such as the freedom of expression, assembly, association and religion.

The French delegation said many young Tibetans were setting themselves on fire and this was grave concern to France who is in favour of religious freedom

United Kingdom called on China to safeguard civil, political and cultural rights of all its citizens and expressed concerned by the violent suppression of protest in Tibet.  And the Germany delegation said it supported the statement by the EU and further voiced its concern about the situation in Tibet.

Czech Republic said that there are reports of continued escalation of Tibetan areas and Xinjiang are alarming.

“We reiterate our called on Chinese authorities to allow for unhindered access to all areas for international monitoring.  As we witnessed tightening restrictions on freedom of expression,” said the Czech delegation.

The US urged the Chinese government to reassess policies that undermine Tibetan and Uighur linguistic, religious, and cultural traditions, creating grievances and fostering unrest.

The UN Human Rights Council 19th Session began on 27 February and will end on 23 March 2012.

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 17 cases of self-immolations.  Alone in the past 12 months, 16 Tibetans resorted to this drastic act of political protest and 12 of them are believed to have died.

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.

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

Programma :

13:00 uur – Verzamelen op het Stationsplein (Den Haag CS)

13:30 uur – Start Vredesmars naar de Chinese Ambassade (Adriaan Goekooplaan 7)

15:00 uur – Programma bij de Chinese Ambassade met sprekers en gebeden

16:00 uur – Einde programma

Er rijden speciale bussen vanuit Amsterdam (Victoriahotel, Damrak 1-5) naar Den Haag en terug. Hiervoor kunt u zich opgeven via: info@tibet.nu

Ook roepen wij u op de Tibetaanse vlag op 10 maart zichtbaar te laten wapperen om uw solidariteit te tonen met het Tibetaanse volk en hun geweldloze strijd.

Organisatie :
de Tibetaanse gemeenschap in Nederland
de Tibet Support Groep (www.tibet.nu)
International Campaign for Tibet (www.savetibet.nl)

A protest has been held in Amsterdam to call attention to a spate of self-immolations in Tibet. The demonstration drew about hundred Tibetan supporters. Despite freezing temperatures, they gathered at Dam Square in the centre of the city to light ritual fires and chant prayers before marching to Central Station. The demonstration was one of a series of coordinated protests held in cities around the world.

The latest self-immolation case was reported on the morning of the 8 February in the Eastern Tibetan town of Ngaba, only hours before the worldwide protests were set to start. It is unclear whether the monk who set himself on fire survived.

This brings the total number of self-immolations to 21 in the past year. The majority of those who set themselves on fire were monks, protesting against the restrictions on their community. Most of the self-immolations took place in the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region, which is held under strict control by the Chinese authorities.

The self-immolations were sparked off by riots in ethnic Tibetan areas in March 2008. Earlier this year, Chinese police opened fire on thousands of Tibetan protestors in Sichuan, killing at least seven and wounding dozens.

China has stepped up security, especially in the heavily Tibetan areas of Sichuan and Gansu provinces, in response to the recent self-immolations and sporadic protests, news agency Reuters reports.

James Renaldi is a Kathmandu based activist who has been involved in Tibetan rights campaigns for more than 20 years. “The western community has failed the Tibetan people when it comes to taking care of them,” he says, “and what you see is this tremendous level of frustration building up among the Tibetan people and there’s an increasing sense of hopelessness.”

Although the Chinese authorities point to the enormous investments they have made in the Tibetan populated areas, Tibetans themselves claim that the few educational and employment opportunities for young people are a severe handicap, and there is a heavy-handed Chinese control over the Tibetan monasteries.

Non-violent
Despite the biting cold on Dam Square in Amsterdam, Dutch people and Tibetans warmly gathered to commemorate the monks that have lost their lives.

Among the people defying the weather was Alejandra. “I am a political refugee myself,” she says. “My family and I came from Chili to settle in the Netherlands. It is not difficult for me to empathise with the Tibetan cause, because of my background. But I especially wanted to come here tonight, because I am deeply touched by the non-violent way Tibetans fight for justice.”

Carrying life-sized pictures of the deceased monks, the group marched the short distance from Dam Square to Central Station. The Tibetan participants led the way while chanting a prayer about death and rebirth.

While holding a torch in his hand, Tibetan refugee Lobsang pointed at the flame. “This protest tonight is like this fire,” he said. “It is our job as Tibetans living in a safe country to spread awareness amongst other people about what is going on in Tibet.”

Foreign pressure
Tibet campaigners from the west want the US and Europe to keep up pressure on China over the alleged abuses committed in the ethnic Tibetan areas.

James Renaldi says that “the world community [needs to be] courageous enough to prioritize human rights issues when it comes to China, and unify as a group or there is not going to be any real change.”

Dutch opposition MP Harry van Bommel joined the protest on behalf of the Socialist Party. He says he is disappointed at in the Dutch government’s involvement so far.

“I think the Dutch government did not do enough to make a statement concerning human rights in China. They had opportunities in the past, during the Olympic Games for example, but they kept quiet. European countries give priority to economic interests when it comes to the trade relationship with China.”

On 11 April the Dutch Lower House will debate human rights issues worldwide. Mr Van Bommel intends to raise the situation in China, as he says it demonstrates the dilemma of choosing between trade interests and basic human values.

“The Dutch government has failed to address the Tibetan issue in the European Parliament,” he says. “They condemn the actions of the Chinese, but refuse to speak out against them. I think this weakens the credibility of the Dutch government.”

With Tibetan New Year on February 22nd and the March 10th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising coming up, there are also reports of build-up of security forces and police in and around the city of Lhasa, and its key monasteries. Furthermore, draconian measures to restrict movement of Tibetans in the capital could further aggravate the tense situation in Tibet. The Central Tibetan Administration based in India, fears further bloodshed and loss of lives.

“Despite the Chinese government’s attempts to close off Tibetan areas and deny access to the world media, the international community must send a clear message to Beijing that the world is watching, and it will not remain silent in the face of the killing of innocent Tibetans who are simply asking for their fundamental right for freedom” stated Dicki Chhoyang, responsible for the Dept. of Information and International Relations for the Central Tibetan Administration. The Foreign Correspondents Club of China (FCCC) recently issued a statement calling on the Chinese government to abide by the terms of its agreement with the FCCC and allow media access to Tibetan areas.

“The self-immolations represent an emphatic rejection of the continued occupation of Tibet and repressive policies of the Chinese government. They express a stand firm for the freedom of the Tibetan people” added Dicki Chhoyang.

As stated by Kalon Tripa Lobsang Sangay, the elected leader of the Central Tibetan Administration, “to genuinely resolve the Tibet issue, and bring lasting peace, China must respect the right of the Tibetan people and engage them in dialogue rather than respond to protests with further repression.”

To demonstrate solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet and stand for truth and justice, the international community is invited to join a worldwide vigil on Wednesday, February 8, 2012.

Tibet groepen wereldwijd houden op woensdag 8 februari een wake uit solidariteit met het Tibetaanse volk. In Amsterdam, Tilburg en Breda komen Tibetanen en Tibet supporters samen om de slachtoffers van de zelfverbrandingen te herdenken en aandacht te vragen voor het toenemende Chinese geweld tegen ongewapende Tibetanen.

De International Campaign for Tibet, de Tibet Support Groep en de Tibetaanse gemeenschap houden op de Dam in Amsterdam een wake waarbij honderd Tibetanen en supporters samenkomen en kaarsen aansteken voor een boeddhistisch altaar.

Tsering Jampa, directeur International Campaign for Tibet Europe: ‘We vragen de Nederlandse regering om bij de Chinese regering aan te dringen op de terugtrekking van de veiligheidstroepen rond de kloosters en te stoppen met het gebruik van geweld.‘

Door de toenemende repressie en mensenrechtenschendingen van de Chinese veiligheidstroepen is het aantal protesten in Tibet de afgelopen maand toegenomen. Op 24 januari heeft de Chinese politie het vuur geopend op ongewapende Tibetaanse demonstranten en zes mensen gedood. Onderzoekers en journalisten worden in Tibet niet meer toegelaten; de regio is hermetisch afgesloten.

In januari hebben vier Tibetanen, als een extreme daad van wanhoop, zichzelf in brand gestoken. Zij riepen hierbij op tot de terugkeer van de Dalai Lama en vrijheid voor Tibet. Sinds 2009 hebben er in totaal zeventien zelfverbrandingen plaatsgevonden in Tibet.

De international Campaign for Tibet-Europe, de Tibet Support Groep en de Tibetaanse Gemeenschap vragen Westerse democratieën om een publieke verklaring uit te brengen tijdens de EU-China top van 14 februari in Peking, en bij de Chinese regering aan te dringen op:

1. het stoppen met geweld tegen ongewapende Tibetanen.
2. terugtrekken van de veiligheidstroepen rond de kloosters.
3. toelaten van internationale onderzoekers in Tibet.
4. hervatten van de dialoog tussen de Chinese regering en de afgevaardigden van de Dalai Lama.

The photos are from the January 24 protests that engulfed Serthar in eastern Tibet where a large crowd of Tibetans gathered in the central town and started raising slogans calling for Tibet’s independence.

Over 600 Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene of the protests and began firing indiscriminately at the crowd. Sources in exile have said that at least five Tibetans suffered fatal bullet injuries while over 40 Tibetans were seriously injured.

The photos that reached Phayul this morning from two different sources show Chinese police mercilessly beating an unarmed Tibetan protester with batons while he is lying face down on the street.

Another image shows two Chinese security personnel dragging away a Tibetan from his leg and arm down the street.

“We know that this harrowing scene playing out in the images from Serthar is being repeated across Tibet as Tibetans are attacked and harassed by Chinese authorities for simply advocating their basic
rights and freedom,” the Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet, Tenzin Dorjee said.

The UK based Free Tibet in a release today said the photos underlined the brutal nature of Chinese occupation in Tibet.

“Despite China’s efforts to control information, these pictures show the determination of Tibetans to expose to the world what China doesn’t want us to see,” Free Tibet said.

“Can the international community continue to turn a blind eye when the ongoing brutality of the occupation is clear for all to see?”

Following the widespread protests that engulfed the entire Tibetan plateau in 2008, the Tibetan region of Serthar has been a centre of Tibetan resistance.

Last year, on October 1, China’s National Day, Tibetans in Serthar unfurled a large painted cloth portrait of the Dalai Lama and raised the Tibetan national flag on the roof of a three-storey building in the
town center. Protests broke out when Chinese authorities removed the portrait and flag.

Preceding the January 24 mass demonstrations, Tibetans in rural villages in Serthar carried out protests on January 18 and 22 while a larger demonstration was also reported on January 23 in Serthar town where a banner reading: “We protest against failed Chinese policies in Tibet” was unfurled.

This is the second occasion when rare photos of the recent protests in Tibet have come out to exile. Yesterday, Phayul released a number of photos of Tibetans killed and injured with bullet marks after Chinese security personnel fired indiscriminately on Tibetan protesters in Drango on January 23.

The entire region continues to remain under heavy military surveillance with phone lines and internet connections cut off.