Czech MPs urge their president to talk Tibet with China
Phayul[Saturday, May 16, 2009 14:55]
By Tenzin Tsering
Dharamsala, May 16 - The Czech parliamentary group for Tibet has petitioned the Czech Presidential Office to bring the issue of human rights concerns in Tibet at the EU-China summit to be held at Prague on 20 May 2009, says Greens MP Katerina Jacques.
This summit is scheduled twice after China canceling it previously to show its resentment over French President Nicholas Sarkozy’s meeting with the Dalai Lama. China regularly opposes any decision by a state to receive the Dalai Lama or make any contact with him. The summit was originally scheduled for December 2008.
Czech Republic now holds the rotating presidency of the 27-member bloc. President Vaclav Klaus will chair the summit where EU and China plan to discuss their bilateral trade and co operation.
MP Jacques said, “None of the current global challenges that the world faces can be dealt without cooperation between the EU and China. But at the same time the EU cannot keep silent to the violation of human rights in China.”
The European Union can play an important role in bringing forth a constructive dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama, given the interdependency of the member nations and around the globe in general, analysts say.
However, China accuses the Dalai Lama and his proposal of “genuine autonomy” as seeking independence in disguise and the dialogue so far has resulted in a stalemate.
Tibetans and their supporters say that the condition inside Tibet is still worsening, where a slightest dissent against the Chinese repressive doctrine and human rights violation is met with ‘brutal suppression and violation of human rights’. Absence of international organizations, aid or free media has strengthened and encouraged the Chinese hardliners in Tibet, according to Tibetan right groups.
Kelsang Gyatsen, the Dalai Lama’s envoy, said that the EU must impress on China that the issue of Tibet continues to remain an important agenda in their bilateral relationship and the pressing need to properly address and resolve the issue through dialogue to provide the solution. “Failure to address the issue of Tibet will greatly undermine the credibility of the EU position on the issue of Tibet in particular and on human rights in China in general.”
The Green MP’s petition also included release of Aung San Suu Kyi from prison and the initiation of a dialogue among Suu Kyi, representatives of the ethnic groups and the Junta.
Tags: Free Tibet, Namgyal Rapper, Tibet, Tibetan
January 9th, 2010 at 1:46 am
ATJ condemns sentencing of Dhondup Wangchen
Dharamshala, Jan 7 2010: Association of Tibetan Journalists (ATJ) condemns the sentencing of Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen who was jailed in March 2008 for documenting the Tibetan people’s dissatisfaction about China’s policies, current situation inside Tibet, and the Tibetan people’s call for the return of the exiled Tibetan leader Dalai Lama.
Association of Tibetan Journalists (ATJ) questions the legitimacy of the court verdict and doubts if Dhondup Wangchen was entitled to fair trial keeping in view the Chinese government’s decision to replace the family appointed lawyer of Dhondup Wangchen with a government appointed lawyer from Xining.
ATJ is concerned about Dhondup Wangchen’s health as reports have indicated that he is suffering from Hepatitis B and being denied proper medical treatment in prison.
ATJ demands retrial for Dhondup Wangchen with the international standard of judicial system, to allow him to further appeal to the higher court represented by independent lawyer and for the transparent trial.
A Chinese court has also sentenced a young Tibetan writer named Kunga Tsangyang or Gangnyi, to 5 years imprisonment on charges of ‘splittist’ activities through his writings.
ATJ urges the Chinese authorities to kindly look into the matter according to the constitution of PRC and free Dhondup Wangchen, Kunga Tsangyang, Konchok Tsephel (Chomey website proprietor), Dolma Kyab and others unconditionally.
“If China is true to its words and claims of stability and prosperity in Tibet, it should let us visit Tibet and witness the situation in Tibet for ourselves.” Tashi Wangchuk, President of the ATJ said.
Contact:
Tashi Wangchuk, President - 0091 94180 54685
Dhondup Tashi, Vice-President - 0091 94187 97503