DHARAMSHALA: The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the oldest and largest human rights organisation based in France, adopted a resolution at its 38th World Congress in Istanbul, Turkey, urging the Chinese government to change its approach in dealing with the issue of Tibet.
Representatives of 178 non-governmental organisations from 117 countries, including the International Campaign for Tibet, attended the FIDH Congress from 22 to 27 May.
Taking cognisance of the tragic self-immolations by Tibetans inside Tibet, FIDH called on the Chinese government needs to take immediate steps such as lifting of security restrictions to address the current emergency in Tibetan areas. Since 2009, 118 Tibetans have set themselves on fire to protest against the Chinese rule, calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans. (View fact sheet)
It urged the international community to press the new Chinese leadership to end the military buildup and limit the dominance of the security apparatus in the Tibetan areas.
It encouraged diplomats, including representatives of multilateral organisations, and journalists, to continue seeking access to all Tibetan areas until it is granted, based on the principle of reciprocity by which Chinese diplomats and journalists presently enjoy relatively open access and unrestricted travel in the countries they are posted.
It called on the new Chinese leadership to resume dialogue with representatives of the Tibetan side to establish a broader and more substantive dialogue regarding the most serious current threats to Tibetan culture, including Chinese policies on religious practice and expression, education and language, in-migration of non-Tibetans, and economic development.
It urged the Chinese government to acknowledge the importance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Tibetan people and his critical role in Tibet’s future and to stop rhetorical attacks and other propaganda efforts directed against His Holiness the Dalai Lama.