Dharamshala — Today is World Human Rights Day. "However, Tibetans inside Tibet have nothing to celebrate as the human rights situation inside Tibet is continuously deteriorating," Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay Thursday said, here while addressing a programme to mark International Human Rights Day.
Since 1950, December 10 has been celebrated as the Human Rights Day to create awareness of the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights as the common standard of achievement for all people in the world.
Tibetans in exile across the world celebrated the 26th Anniversary of the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Nobel Peace Prize Day, and marked the 67th Human Rights Day.
Thousands of Tibetans and supporters assembled in the main temple to mark the anniversary. The political leader of the Tibetan people, Dr Lobsang Sangay addressed the crowds followed by Mr Penpa Tsering, the speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in exile.
International Human Rights day was observed on December 10, across the world including the Tibetan community under the theme of "Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always" against abuse and violations of human values and to mark the anniversary of the presentation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In his statement to mark the day, the political leader of Tibetans Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay denounced Chinese authorities that "Tibetans inside Tibet have nothing to celebrate as the human rights situation inside Tibet is continuously deteriorating."
"The Chinese government's white paper claims a 'golden age for Tibet' but in reality, neither economic benefit nor basic freedom is granted to the Tibetan people," he said, adding that "Tibetan people continue to suffer political repression, economic marginalization, social discrimination, cultural assimilation and environmental destruction under China's authoritarian rule."
"The self-immolation by 142 Tibetan men and women since 2009 is clearly a protest against Chinese government's repressive policies and denial of the fundamental freedom of the Tibetan people," Sikyong said.
Responding to recent comments made by top Chinese officials, Sikyong said No rational person will accept such blatant lies. Mr Chen Quanguo, party chief of the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region recently said that the party members and cadres secretly practicing religion and following the "Dalai Clique" must be identified and subjected to severe punishment. Similarly, Mr Zhu Weiqun, an official of the self-declared atheist communist party of China claimed that Chinese government has the right to approve reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
"The final authority based on both history and religious traditions in selecting the next Dalai Lama rests solely on the present Dalai Lama," Dr Sangay said, "Neither the muscle nor money of the Chinese government will change the belief of the Tibetan people in His Holiness the Dalai Lama to appoint the next Dalai Lama."
The Middle Way Approach envisioned by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is aimed at the long-term benefit of both the Chinese and Tibetan people and has galvanized support from governments, opinion makers, intellectuals including many Chinese writers and scholars, according to the statement.
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has expressed its deep gratitude to the governments and peoples of the various countries which have raised the issue of Tibet with his Chinese government. "We would like to express our gratitude to both the US Congressional and EU delegation for standing up for the Tibetan people and supporting dialogue to resolve the issue of Tibet."
"Among the governments, the White House issued statements strongly supporting the Middle Way Approach. At the summit meeting, President Barack Obama this year publicly urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to engage in dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama or his representatives," said Sikyong.
He stated that "President Obama emphasised the importance and the need for dialogue to resolve the Tibet issue. On behalf of the Tibetan people, the Kashag would like to express our appreciation for such statements of encouragement and support."
"The US Congressional delegation led by Leader Nancy Pelosi to Tibet also urged the Chinese authorities for dialogue and expressed concerns regarding human rights situation in Tibet. The delegation also conveyed to the Chinese government the strong, bipartisan support His Holiness the Dalai Lama enjoys in the Congress of the United States and among the American people," Dr Sangay said.
"Similarly, Congressmen Jim McGovern, a member of the delegation, said that they had 'some very heated exchanges' with Chinese officials regarding issues related to Tibet. He has stated that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the solution, not a problem, to resolving the issue of Tibet," he added.
The CTA said that the "European Union delegation to China and Tibet also expressed concerns on the human rights situation in Tibet and the need for dialogue to resolve the issue of Tibet. The German Human Rights Commissioner, Mr Christoph Strasser, strongly rebuked the Chinese government for showing an incorrect reality of Tibet during their visit."
Speaking on the the recent meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Ma Ying-jeou in Singapore, Sikyong said "It is also our considered view" that the meeting "will lead to peaceful resolutions of all outstanding issues between People's Republic of China and Taiwan."
His statement also marked the 25th anniversary of Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. "For decades, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has travelled to over 50 countries, published more than 100 books on the values of compassion, non-violence, universal responsibility and secular ethics," Sikyong said, adding: "Deriving admiration and inspiration from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, more than 150 prizes and honorary degrees have been awarded to him."
"His Holiness the Dalai Lama advocates nonviolence and dialogue to resolve the issue of Tibet, interfaith harmony, human values and environment. For these extraordinary contributions, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1989," he added.
