Sikyong Calls on UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zeid, to visit Tibet to assess the human rights situation, particularly the pressing situation in Larung Gar and Yachen Gar.
DHARAMSHALA: Tibetans, friends and devotees of His Holiness the Dalai Lama gathered in large numbers at Tsuglagkhang courtyard today to celebrate the principles of peace and non-violence on the 27tn anniversary of the conferment of Nobel Peace prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama by the Nobel Committee in 1989.
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay and Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel attended the official function along with members of the Kashag, Tibetan parliament-in-Exile and the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission. Officials of the Central Tibetan Administration, representatives of Tibetan non-governmental organisations and members of the local Tibetan public joined the dignitaries in the celebration.
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay in his statement extolled the values espoused by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his efforts to make the world a better and more peaceful place. At the same time, Sikyong drew attention towards the critical human rights situation prevailing inside Tibet particularly the ongoing destruction of Larung Gar monastery in eastern Tibet.
“Along with the 27th anniversary of the conferment of Nobel Peace prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama, today is also the 68th year since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, the serious human rights violation in Tibet doesn’t leave much for the Tibetan people to celebrate,” Sikyong said.
“China’s total disregard for human rights is currently demonstrated by the on-going massive demolition at Larung Gar, the largest Tibetan Buddhist Institute in the world founded by Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, is home to thousands of Tibetans and Chinese devotees from Mainland China. It is estimated that the institute housed more than 10,000 devotees and, after the demolition, the number will be reduced to 5000 monks and nuns. Saddened by the Chinese government’s destructive action, three nuns of the institute – Rigzin Dolma, Tsering Dolma and Semgha – committed suicide.”
“Similar evictions were also imposed on Yachen Gar, another major monastic institute in Tibet. Human Rights Watch has reported that since about April 2016, up to 1,000 nuns at Yachen Gar, another major monastery in Tibet, have been compelled to leave the institution and return to their homes. The families of nuns were threatened with punishment, including withdrawal of government aid, if they failed to bring home any of their relatives from the monastery. They are also barred from attending nunneries in their home areas in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).”
“Although this year is the 40th year since the end of the Cultural Revolution but the disturbing developments in Larung Gar and Yachen Gar are reminiscent of the bitter experiences of the Cultural Revolution,” he remarked and called on the peace loving Chinese citizens o raise their voice against the injustices inflicted on Tibetans inside Tibet.
At the same time, Sikyong expressed optimism in the Middle Way Policy of the Central Tibetan Administration to resolve the Tibet issue. “The Chinese leadership will realize that their policies in Tibet are flawed and have failed in winning the hearts and minds of the Tibetan people. Given Tibet’s past status as a historically independent nation and the current repression under Chinese occupation, the resolution to the Tibet issue is possible only through constructive dialogue between the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the representatives of the Chinese leadership,” he said.
Referring to His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a great champion of Peace, Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, in his statement, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has travelled to all parts of the globe and directed his efforts at ensuring the well being of all sentient beings through his message of non-violence and peace.
He also recalled His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s recent visits to Japan and Mongolia and lauded the emphasis that His Holiness placed on logic rather than just engaging in rituals.
The Tibetan Parliament also condemned China for over reacting to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s spiritual visit to Mongolia. “There was no way anyone could agree with the contentions of the government of China and heed its demands. Tibet and Mongolia have a unique and close historical fraternal relationship based on ties of teacher and disciple and this cannot be destroyed by anyone. Therefore, irrespective of warnings and protests from the government of China, the government of Mongolia has this time allowed His Holiness the Dalai Lama to be invited to the country, thereby enabling him to give religious teachings there. This was not only the appropriate thing to do but also became a source of great benefits for both the immediate and long term good of the government and people of Mongolia,” he said.
The Speaker also emphasised its commitment to the Middle Way Policy to resolve the Tibet issue and called on China to resolve the Tibet issue through dialogue. “The government of China knows that this is not a separatist demand and that we are only seeking to remain under the jurisdiction of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China. Nevertheless, it makes use of every available opportunity to keep referring to us as separatists. We demand that the government of China change by giving up this futile and hardline policy and instead immediately take up for consideration a peaceful settlement that will be mutually beneficial both immediately and on long-term basis to both the sides.”
He further expressed the Tibetan Parliament’s concern at the ongoing violation of Tibetan people’s fundamental rights in the name of progress and development.
“The government of China is spending many billions of yuan to build and multiply railway tracks from cities in China to various destinations in Tibet. However, its real purpose is to speed up the policy to make Tibet a colony of China within the shortest possible time,” he said.
“The situation concerning the natural environment in Tibet has been deteriorating and becoming ever more serious day by day. Even today, the Chinese government continues to persecute many innocent Tibetans in all manners of atrocities including through arrest, torture and imprisonment. According to a most recent information received from Tibet on 6 December 2016, the Intermediate People’s Court of Barkham, the seat of the so-called Ngaba Autonomous Prefecture (incorporated into China’s Sichuan Province) has sentenced some ten Tibetans – from both the lay and monastic community to prison terms of 5 to 14 years,” he added.
The celebration also featured cultural performances by artistes from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) and presentation of medals and certificates to retired and long-serving civil servants.