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DHARAMSHALA, India: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on
Monday attacked China’s human rights record accusing it of
“unimaginable and gross violations” in his Himalayan homeland.
“Repression continues to increase with
numerous, unimaginable and gross violations of human rights, denial
of religious freedom and politicization of religious issues,” he
told hundreds of flag-waving supporters on the 49th anniversary of
his escape to India after an abortive anti-Beijing uprising.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner’s angry comments
came in a strongly worded speech in the northern Indian town of
Dharamshala and contrasted sharply with what his critics say has
been a “soft” approach to China.
“For nearly six decades Tibetans have had to
live in a state of constant fear under Chinese repression,” he
said.
“All these take place as a result of the
Chinese government’s lack of respect of the Tibetan people,” the
72-year-old told the gathering from his palace in Dharamshala, seat
of the Tibetan government-in-exile.
The Dalai Lama said however that he would not
abandon his search for autonomy in Tibet even though six rounds of
talks with the Chinese since 2002 have yielded little result.
“During the past few years, Tibet has
witnessed increased repression and brutality. In spite of these
unfortunate developments, my stand and determination to pursue the
‘Middle-Way’ policy remain unchanged,” he said.
Despite widespread frustration among the younger
generation at China’s stranglehold on Tibet, the Dalai Lama
remains the unquestioned spiritual leader of the diaspora.
He also said August’s Beijing Olympics could
be a golden opportunity for the international community to expose
China, which has ruled Tibet since 1951, over its treatment of
Tibetans.
“Besides sending their athletes, the
international community should remind the Chinese government of
these issues. China should prove herself a good host by providing
these freedoms,” he added.
Tibetan groups are planning to step up protests
in the run-up to the Olympics and were to kick off a “Tibet
trek” home starting later Monday and stage a “Tibetan
Olympics” in May.
-- AFP
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