ICT Europe: Publications
Tibet Update: E-newsletter for Parliamentarians in Europe, Edition 1
Edition 1, October 2003
Welcome to the first edition of Tibet Update: E-newsletter for Parliamentarians in Europe! Recognizing both your time constraints and the need to keep you updated of political responses to important Tibet-related matters, the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) Europe has designed this e-newsletter especially for policy makers such as yourself. We aim to keep it relevant to your work and to provide you with an updated edition every two months.
We welcome your feedback. If you have any suggestions, contributions or wish to subscribe other parliamentary colleagues to this E-newsletter, please contact us at: euroeditor@savetibet.org.
- Tsering Jampa, Executive Director, Amsterdam
Contents
European Initiatives
European Parliament Forum on Tibet: 12 November 2003
In September, Thomas Mann, President of the European Parliament Intergroup on Tibet, announced an important meeting in Europe to address questions related to Tibet - the European Parliament Forum on Tibet: European Union's Response to Sino-Tibetan Dialogue. This Forum will be held at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on Wednesday 12 November 2003 at 3.00pm. Attendance is by invitation only.
The objectives of the European Parliament Forum on Tibet are three-fold. First, in light of the renewed contact between the two parties, the Forum will identify various steps the EU can take to help advance the dialogue process. Secondly, it will highlight that the EU can make an effective contribution to the process by immediately appointing a European Special Representative for Tibet. Thirdly, the Forum would send a strong message to the Chinese government that the international community remains concerned about Tibet and committed to the dialogue process.
Blair Discusses Tibet during China Visit
During his July visit to China, Prime Minister Blair told Chinese President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao that he welcomed the recent contact between Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama. During their meeting, Hu mentioned his experience as Party Secretary in Tibet and the two leaders had a general conversation about Tibet.
Four Early Day Motions regarding Tibet have been tabled by members of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet in the British Parliament since November 2002, with the two most recent, tabled in March 2003, urging the British Prime Minister Tony Blair to push for "meaningful negotiations" between the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and China. One March EDM also expressed concern that "bilateral and EU dialogue with China is not working" and that "the non-violent struggle for freedom [is] being overlooked by the war on terrorism".
More Traditional Tibetan Houses in Lhasa Expected to be Demolished
Lhasa authorities are planning to demolish the remaining village of Shol, at the foot of the Potala Palace, to make way for a museum and square. In response, the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO has urged the Chinese authorities to review its urban development plan for Lhasa. The push for China to develop a national policy to protect all remaining historic traditional buildings in Lhasa was made at the Committee's 27th session held in Paris, France, from June 30 to July 5, 2003.
Parliamentarians in Europe have expressed concern about the proposed demolitions, with Olivier Dupuis, Member of the European Parliament and its Tibet Intergroup, submitting a question about the matter to the European Commission in August. Erica Terpstra, the longest-serving member of the Dutch Parliament, also raised questions about the proposed changes to the Lhasa townscape to the Parliament in September.
Dalai Lama's May/June Europe Visit
The Dalai Lama's proposal for a non-violent solution to the issue of Tibet was first articulated at the European Parliament in 1987. This "Strasbourg Proposal" called for Tibet to become a "zone of peace" and a "truly autonomous region" of the People's Republic of China. Since that time, the Dalai Lama has traveled the world advocating the cause of his people and spreading Buddhist messages of compassion and non-violence.
As part of his ongoing efforts, the Dalai Lama visited Germany, Sweden and Denmark in May and June this year. The trip marked the Dalai Lama's 25th visit to Germany, eighth visit to Sweden and sixth visit to Denmark. In Germany, the Dalai Lama addressed the First Ecumenical Kirchentag (Congress) on the topic "Peace Without Violence: Buddhist Concept of Non-violence and Its Consequences for Political and Individual Behaviour" and met with members of the 23-member strong German Parliamentary Group for Tibet. In Sweden, the Dalai Lama addressed members of the Swedish Parliament at the Parliament Building before meeting with Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Per Stig Moller in Denmark.
The Dalai Lama will visit the Czech Republic, France, Germany and Spain in October, and will go to Italy in November 2003.
Dutch Foreign Minister and German President Visit China
Both the Dutch Foreign Minister, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, and the President of Germany, Johannes Rau, have recently made trips to China. Officials described de Hoop Scheffer's August trip as an introductory visit in preparation of the Netherlands' taking up the EU Presidency in July 2004. In his talks with Chinese counterparts, de Hoop Scheffer apparently addressed the matter of Tibet.
ICT Deutschland and other Tibet support groups in Germany have urged President Rau to express his support for serious talks between China and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile during his September visit to China.
Former Political Prisoner Visits Europe
Ngawang Sangdrol, one of Tibet's most well-known political prisoners, traveled Europe in May and June on a speaking tour to raise awareness of the political situation of the Tibetan people. Sangdrol, who came into exile in May 2003, visited Belgium, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland during her highly-publicized two-month trip. Sangdrol's trip included a warm meeting with the European Parliament's Tibet Intergroup, which had long campaigned for her release.
Take Action!
Supporting Renewed Political Contact
The 10-year deadlock in relations between the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and China that was broken last September with the visit of the Dalai Lama's two envoys to China and Tibet ignited great optimism within the Tibetan community and in political circles. A number of politicians, including some in Europe, reacted by saying that no further action about Tibet was required on their part. However, serious discussions with China have yet to begin. Therefore, the international community must intensify pressure on China to ensure these initial positive gestures transform into concrete action.
Take Action:
- Encourage your government to appointment a European Special Representative for Tibet.
- Articulate your support for Substantive Dialogue to commence without preconditions or delay.
Help Release Tenzin Delek Rinpoche!
The case of respected Buddhist leader, Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, received much international attention over the last year when he and Tibetan farmer Lobsang Dhondup were charged with involvement in a series of explosions in Sichuan Province and sentenced to death. The hasty execution of Lobsang Dhondup that was upheld after a closed trial on 26 January 2003 prompted the EU, Swiss, U.S. and other governments to issue resolutions and public statements condemning China and to demarche Beijing over the situation.
At least 17 people have been detained with respect to this case, although the Chinese authorities have not officially charged, arrested nor even acknowledged most of these. Tenzin Delek Rinpoche today remains imprisoned and it is feared that he could be executed some time within the next 14 months.
ICT Europe and Tibet support groups worldwide have mounted a campaign to release Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and all others currently being held in connection with this case. In the coming months, a postcard campaign will be targeting President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, urging the EU to intensify its pressure on China regarding this case.
Take Action:
- On 2 December, take part in an international day of action to mark the 1st Anniversary of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche's sentencing.
- Urge your government to pressure the Chinese authorities to release Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and all other related detainees.
Where is the Panchen Lama?
On 17 May 1995 Chinese authorities abducted Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, and his family from their home. At the time, the Panchen Lama was just six years old, making him the world's youngest political prisoner. Despite repeated calls from human rights groups, Tibet supporters and governments world-wide, including the EP's 1995 resolution that condemned "China's intervention in the nomination of the candidate for the title of Panchen Lama", the Chinese government has not released any information about his condition or whereabouts.
Take Action:
- On 20 November, International Children's Day, urge your government to exert strong diplomatic pressure on their Chinese counterparts regarding the whereabouts of the Panchen Lama.
- Demand that independent observers have immediate access to the boy.
Tibet News in Brief
Tibet Railway Built for Political, Not Economic Reasons
"Crossing the Line: China's Railway to Lhasa, Tibet," a new 70-page report from ICT analyses the economics of transportation, interviews with transportation experts and satellite imagery to demonstrate that the primary purpose of the railway China is constructing across the Tibetan Plateau to Lhasa is to serve the Chinese government's stated goal of increasing political control over Tibet. It finds that the railway is being built mainly for political reasons and stands to benefit the Chinese military not most Tibetan people, as the Chinese government consistently claims.
In the report, ICT urges the Chinese government to adopt a series of recommendations and urges other governments to:
- Avoid involvement in the construction or operation of the railway by prohibiting relevant technical exchanges, denying relevant export licenses etc.
- Establish guidelines to govern their support for economic development activities in Tibet, such as those outlined in the U.S. Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 (section 616 of U.S. Public Law 107 - 228), in order to facilitate pro-Tibetan development.
For a PDF copy of the report click here.
Nepal Adopts New Policy of Protection for Tibetan Refugees
Following the May 31 forced deportation of 18 Tibetan refugees from Kathmandu by Nepalese authorities working in collusion with the Chinese Embassy, an international campaign of governmental and non-governmental approaches targeting the government of Nepal has resulted in Nepal's official adoption of a new policy of protection for Tibetan refugees.
The policy was set forth as an attachment to an August 4 letter from Nepal's Foreign Secretary Madhu Raman Acharya to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and follows the Senator's withdrawal of support from legislation intended to provide Nepal with preferential treatment for its textile imports to the United States in protest over Nepal's treatment of Tibetan refugees.
For details of the policy click here.
Non-European Action
106 Canadian MPs Urge PM to Facilitate Tibet-China Negotiations
One hundred and six Canadian Members of Parliament, out of a total of 300, have signed a petition to Prime Minister Jean Chretien urging Canada to use its "special relationship with China" to facilitate negotiations on the issue of Tibet between representatives of the Dalai Lama and the Chinese Government. The petition campaign was launched by the Canada Tibet Committee.
U.S. President Bush and Dalai Lama Meet at White House; Bush Reports to Congress on Tibet Negotiations
The Dalai Lama met with U.S. President George W. Bush during his three-week visit to the United States in September 2003. At the meeting, President Bush said reiterated his "strong commitment" to the Dalai lama's efforts to find a negotiated solution with the Chinese leadership, reinforcing the U.S. Government's commitment to Sino-Tibetan dialogue to resolve the Tibet issue.
President Bush Reports to Congress on Tibet Negotiations, Details U.S. Efforts to Encourage Dialogue between the Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama or His Representatives
In May, in the first-ever presidential report to Congress on the status of Tibet negotiations, President Bush affirmed that encouraging substantive dialogue between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese leadership is a key objective of his administration's policy and that lack of resolution of the Tibetan issue will be a stumbling block to fuller political and economic engagement between the United States and China. Increased U.S. political support for Tibet has resulted, in part, from the creation of a U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues position in 1997.
India's Semantic Diplomacy with China on Tibet
In what could be described as semantic diplomacy, India has recognized that "The Tibet Autonomous Region is part of the territory of the People's Republic of China." This statement is part of the India-China Joint Declaration signed on June 23 and made public on June 24, 2003.
Chinese Stand on Dalai Lama's Japan Visit Debated in Japanese Media
A statement by visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing about Chinese objection to a possible visit to Japan by the Dalai Lama has started a public debate in the Japanese media. Readers are criticizing the Chinese stand by saying it is interference in Japanese internal affairs and that the action is odd when there is a "promise" of a "more productive relationship" between China and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.
Important Dates
| 18 - 21 October | Fourth International Conference of Tibet Support Groups |
| 27 October | EU-China Summit |
| October | The Dalai Lama to visit Czech Republic, France, Germany and Spain |
| 12 November | EP Forum on Tibet: EU Response to Sino-Tibetan Dialogue |
| 20 November | Universal Children's Day |
| 26 November | EU-China human rights dialogue in Beijing |
| 27 - 29 November | The Dalai Lama to visit Italy to attend Conference of Peace Laureates, organised by Gorbachev Foundation, Rome |
| 2 December | 1st Anniversary of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche's sentencing |
| 10 December | International Human Rights Day |
| 10 December | Meeting of European Human Rights NGOs, Rome |
| 16/17 December | EU-China Seminar on Human Rights, Rome |
| 1 January 2004 | Ireland takes up EU Presidency |
