Statement from Senator Barack Obama on the Situation in Tibet
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Printable FormatFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Michael Ortiz, 202 228 5566
WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today released the following statement on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the crisis in Tibet:
"A negotiated settlement between China and the Dalai Lama remains the best hope for a resolution of the crisis in Tibet. Right now, the most important thing is to seize this moment when the world's attention is focused on Tibet to reach an agreement that will guarantee religious freedom for the Tibetan people, protect Tibetan culture and language, and provide meaningful autonomy for Tibetans in the areas of economic development and environmental protection.
"The Dalai Lama has met all of the conditions that China requires for dialogue to succeed. The Dalai Lama recognizes that Tibet is part of China, and he does not advocate independence for Tibet. The Dalai Lama supports engagement and dialogue with China. Even after the recent violence, the Dalai Lama has indicated his continued support for holding the Olympic Games in Beijing. And the Dalai Lama acknowledges that China has brought economic development to the Tibetan plateau, improving the standard of living for millions of Tibetans.
"Most importantly, the Dalai Lama is a man of peace. I had the privilege of speaking with the Dalai Lama during his trip this month to the U.S. He reiterated to me that he continues to condemn the violence that erupted recently in Lhasa and other Tibetan cities. This commitment to peace, non-violence and religious tolerance is why the United States Congress honored the Dalai Lama with the Congressional Gold Medal last October.
"China should recognize the opportunity that exists to begin a new chapter in Tibet's troubled history. That new beginning should start with an understanding of the origins of the recent unrest. There is little mystery about why Tibetans remain unhappy. The Tibetans who took to the streets in March were clear about their grievances. They want the freedom to practice their religion and maintain their culture without state interference - rights guaranteed to China's nationalities under the PRC's constitution - and they seek a meaningful voice in Tibetan affairs.
"For decades, China has kept tight controls on Tibetan Buddhism, and for decades China has directed the economic affairs of Tibet without listening to the Tibetan people. China's repressive policies are not unique to Tibet - Chinese in other parts of the country also routinely express their frustration at the government's failure to respect their fundamental human rights.
"The fact that Tibetan unrest is not unique also tells me that the United States response to the unrest must go beyond simple condemnations of China's conduct. We need to redouble our efforts inside Tibet - with funding for non-governmental organization such as the Bridge Fund - to strengthen the voice of the Tibetan people in the areas of economic development and cultural preservation. And throughout China, we need to do much more to foster respect for the rule of law, religious freedom, transparency, and accountability in government. China's heavy hand in Tibet is a symptom of a much larger problem - the failure of the Chinese government to listen to the legitimate grievances of its people and to respond constructively to those complaints."