Gerardo E. Martínez-Solanas
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Re:Tibet should never be a "lost cause" - 2008/05/19 17:52
Contrary to the propaganda campaign promoted by the Chinese government accusing the Dalai Lama and his followers of being “aggressive separatists” and “terrorists”, the Tibetan institutions in exile and their spiritual leader once and again preach and practice a pacific and conciliatory approach to relieve their plight within a reasonable and humanitarian solution in agreement with Chinese political and territorial ambitions.
Allow me to share with all of you the latest communication distributed by International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), a non governmental organization (ONG) devoted to promote human rights and democratic freedoms for the people of Tibet, under the spiritual guidance of the Dalai Lama, openly proclaiming their believe that there must be a political solution based on direct dialog between representatives of the spiritual leader of Tibetans and of the People’s Republic of China.
In their recent letter, ICT informs the rest of the World about the scores of Tibetans that have been killed, the thousands detained and the constant repression of their people all along 50 years of occupation.
However, in a show of peaceful advocacy and with a most conciliatory approach, this is what they have to say:
“China finds itself in a difficult situation. As host of the Olympic Games this summer, they promised to boost the development of «democracy and human rights». The Chinese government has been working hard to whitewash any blemishes on its national reputation; it is eager to present a friendly and reasonable face to the world in the hopes that all nations will politely overlook repressive policies in Tibet.
Now the people of the World have seen peaceful Tibetan protests led by monks come under fire by Chinese police and the military. We’ve learned of the murder of marchers and the arrest of thousands of Tibetans, who are asking for basic rights such as the freedom to pray for the health of the Dalai Lama. Reporters and western visitors were expelled from Tibet so that none could tell the truth of what went on as China crushed the protests.
This is hardly the spirit of brotherhood and friendship that China wishes to present to the world.
The ICT has determined our best course of action – and how best our supporters like you can help. His Holiness the Dalai Lama continues to see the Games as an opportunity to cement friendships, and doesn’t want the Chinese people to suffer for the actions of its government. So we do not advocate a boycott of the Games.”
The emphasis on the last two sentences is ours. But they go one step ahead on their conciliatory remarks further down in their letter:
“ICT is calling on the International Olympic Committee to remind the Chinese government that their behaviour is in flagrant contradiction of the Olympic spirit.
We also believe that this is a critical time to build bridges with the Chinese and to make sure they know what the Daial Lama stands for – and what he does not.
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The Olympic Games bring the nations of the world together in peace. The spirit of honest athletic competition and national pride bring out the best in all of us. It would be a wonderful time to celebrate a new policy of understanding and equality in China – and as long as we continue to work together, we can make that a reality,”
Can we honestly say that this is a call from terrorists or even from a separatist group?
The letter we received was circulated in the United States and the ICT is asking all recipients to write to their representatives and to the President in support of the Tibetan people. However, this applies as well to anyone else in any democratic country in the rest of the World. That is the least we can do for this people in need: Ask the government officials in your country to do something.
Since the beginning of the incidents involving the march of the Olympic torch through many countries on its way to Beijing, ParticipatoryDemocracy.net conducted a non-scientific poll (only one vote per person allowed) available to all visitors to the Home page of our site. It is interesting to see how voters chose among five answers to this question: What would the most effective answer be to violations of human rights in China? We were careful not to ask “in Tibet?” so as not to give the impression of a "separatist" bias. So far the results are as follows:
27,8% China should be denounced before the international organizations
25,9% Chinese government should suffer political and diplomatic sanctions
18,5% Victims should receive humanitarian help and political backing
16,7% Interference in the internal affairs of China should be avoided
11,1% Boycott to the Olympic Games (as a sporting event) should be promoted
This poll is in Spanish only, but it is open to all and we invite those interested in this issue to express their preference with their vote. Readers may also elaborate your arguments (in English and/or Spanish) posting your views in this FORUM or with your "reply" to this post.
One thing is clear from these results so far – that the majority opts for peaceful and conciliatory moves. About 1 in 4 advocate stronger measures, such as sanctions. And only 11% would do something to hurt the Olympic spirit. Therefore, most people are not far from the approach Tibetan leaders want to follow on this issue. It remains up to each one of us to do something.
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FORO / Participative Forum 
