Julie Fears for Future of Tibet

Julie Morgan, MP for Cardiff North, is calling on the British Government to urgently raise the issue of Tibet with the Chinese Government.

Julie Morgan MP said:

“In October of last year, I had the great privilege of meeting the Dalai Lama and visiting the Tibetan Government in Exile in Dharamsala in northern India. The cross-party delegation of MPs I was with had discussions with him about the future of Tibet.

“The Dalai Lama and his Government have been working towards autonomy for Tibet within China, which would mean the freedom for Tibetans to shape their own social and educational systems and the freedom to practice and preserve their own culture.

“In pursuit of this end, the Dalai Lama’s commitment to non-violence has been incredibly impressive and I would strongly challenge the Chinese Premier’s view that the Dalai Lama is to blame for the recent violence in Tibet. This is just not consistent with history – with the Dalai Lama’s unwavering belief in peaceful resolution, something that has endured for over 50 years and which won him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

“During our visit, we saw how great hardship is being suffered by Tibetans – both those in exile who have had to flee from Tibet and those in Tibet itself who are facing marginalisation under Chinese rule. And amongst those who are in exile are thousands of children who have been sent out of Tibet to Tibetan settlements and schools in India so they can be educated and can freely learn about their own culture.

“I am pressing our Government to urgently discuss the issue of Tibet with the Chinese authorities. The recent problems in Lhasa, as well as the upcoming Olympics provide an ideal time to highlight the human rights issues in Tibet and to make the Chinese government realise the strength of international feeling.

“And I hope that when the Dalai Lama visits the UK in May, he will meet with Gordon Brown and other Ministers.

“Meanwhile, during these troubling times, the international community needs to make its views known.

“The Tibetan cause is a just cause and the campaign for self-rule should have our support."