An Appeal
Published: Wednesday, 2 April, 2008
I
would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to the world leaders,
Parliamentarians, NGOs and members of the public who have expressed their concern over the
recent deeply saddening and tragic events in Tibet. I am also grateful for their efforts to persuade the Chinese
authorities to exercise restraint in dealing with the peaceful protesters,
while at the same time calling for meaningful dialogue to resolve the issue.
I
believe the recent demonstrations and protests are a manifestation of the deep-rooted
resentment not only of the Tibetan people in the so-called Tibet Autonomous
Region (TAR), but also in the outlying traditional Tibetan areas now
incorporated into Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, where there
exist substantial communities of ethnic Tibetans.
According
to reliable sources, the Chinese authorities have deployed large contingents of
troops in these traditional Tibetan regions and have not only started to crack
down heavily on the Tibetans allegedly involved in the unrest, but also sealed
off the areas where protests have taken place.
I
therefore appeal for your continued support in calling for an immediate end to
the current crackdown, the release of all those who have been arrested and
detained, and the provision of proper medical treatment to the injured. We are particularly concerned about the
lack of adequate medical facilities, as there are reports of many injured
Tibetans being afraid to go to Chinese-run hospitals and clinics.
I would also request you to encourage the sending of an independent
international body, to investigate the unrest and its underlying causes, as
well as allowing the media and international medical teams to visit the affected
areas. Their presence will not only
instill a sense of reassurance in the Tibetan people, but will also exercise a
restraining influence on the Chinese authorities.
THE DALAI LAMA
Contact:
Chhime Rigzing Chhoekyapa,
Secretary Cell: +91 (0)9816021879
Tenzin Taklha, Joint
Secretary
Cell: +91 (0)9816021813
