TIBET

Leading Chinese Intellectuals Speak Out

In a brave and landmark address to their own government, twenty-nine leading Chinese academics, writers, jurists and human rights activists from Beijing, Shangdong, Sichuan, Gansu, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hubai and Inner Mongolia have devised a list of suggestions for dealing with the Tibetan situation.

They include stopping all the Chinese propaganda which is aggravating an already-tense situation; supporting the Dalai Lama’s appeal for peace; urging the Chinese government to stop the violent suppression; and appealing to the Tibetan people likewise not to engage in violent activities.

They urge the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to independently investigate allegations of a “Dalai Lama clique,” and for the Chinese government to refrain from using Cultural-Revolution-like language such as “the Dalai Lama is a jackal in Buddhist monk’s robes …,” instead displaying “a style of governing that conforms to the standards of modern civilization”.

They strongly demand that the authorities “not subject every Tibetan to political investigation or revenge” and any trials should be carried out according to open, just judicial procedures.

They also call for international media access and for the Chinese people to be calm and tolerant, noting that the unrest has spread throughout Tibet and is not confined to Lhasa. They are calling for freedom of religious belief and freedom of speech, holding that animosity must be eliminated and appealing to Chinese leaders to hold direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama.

To read the comprehensive list go to http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2008/03/twelve-suggestions-for-dealing-with-the-tibetan-situation- by-some-chinese-intellectuals/

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