Dalai Lama urges China to respect Tibetans' human rights

Dec 10, 2008, 2:47 GMT

   Taipei - Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama called on China to respect the Tibetan people's human right on Wednesday - Human Rights Day - in a message to a rights forum held in Taiwan.

   The Dalai Lama sent the message to the international forum on human rights held by the Kaohsiung City government because he was unable to attend the seminar, attended by human rights activists from a dozen countries.

   In the message, the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize winner expressed disappointment that China, now a leader in world politics and economy, has failed to make equal progress in democracy, and continues to suppress the Tibetan people's basic rights.

   'Despite some developments and economic progress, there is no freedom in Tibet. Tibetan culture continues to face fundamental problems of survival. Serious violations of human rights continue throughout Tibet. Yet these are only the symptoms and consequences of a deeper problem,' he wrote.

   'The Chinese communist authorities have so far been unable to take a tolerant and pluralistic view on the Tibet's distinct culture and religious; instead, they are suspicious of them and seek to control them. China needs human rights, democracy and the rule of law because these values are the foundation of a free and dynamic society. They are also the source of true peace and stability,' he said.

   The Dalai Lama, 73, fled Tibet after an abortive uprising against Chinese invaders in 1969 to set up the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamasala, northern India.

   China has condemned the Dalai Lama as a 'splittist,' plotting to sever Tibet from China, and a 'wolf in sheep's clothing.'