EU must demand international investigation into suppression of Tibet protests[:]
Today is the 51st anniversary of the Dalai Lama’s escape from Tibet due to the Chinese occupation and it is exactly two years since the uprising in Lhasa in which Tibetans protested peacefully against the repression of their culture and religion.
Finnish Green MEP Heidi Hautala, Chair of the EU Parliament human rights subcommittee, commented:”Two years after the Chinese suppression of protests in Tibet, there has still been no independent international investigation. During this time, China has freely accused the Tibetan Government in exile and the Dalai Lama of masterminding the uprising.
When I met the Dalai Lama last month, we came to the conclusion that it is of utmost importance that the EU demands an investigation into the reasons and consequences of the 10 March 2008 uprising. I urge Lady Ashton and the new external action service to act swiftly on this.
According to the Tibetan administration in exile, at least 220 Tibetans died, many because of indiscriminate police firing, ill-treatment or torture in prisons. Many more are missing. Today the EU Parliament received a Tibetan former political prisoner as a guest. Ms. Namdrol Lhamo, a nun, was incarcerated in Drapchi prison for 12 years because of taking part in a peaceful demonstration and for recording songs while in detention. We should pay tribute to her as well as to other courageous Tibetans living under occupation.”
Kuvassa keskellä parlamentin Tiibet-ryhmän puheenjohtaja Thomas Mann. Esillä lippu, joita jaoimme mepeille täysistuntoa varten.
