Archbishop Tutu tells China to listen to His Holiness’s appeal

Friday, 28 March 2008, 12:55 p.m.

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu/File Photo

Dharamshala: Archbishop
Emeritus Desmond Tutu of South Africa has called on Chinese government
to listen to His Holiness’ s appeal for restraint and stop using force
against peaceful Tibetan demonstrators across Tibet.

In his statement on 25 March, while expressing support for
Tibetan people, he said that he stand by His Holiness the Dalai Lama,
who is the embodiment of non violence and compassion and goodness. He
urged China to enter into a substantive and meaningful dialogue with
His Holiness the Dalai Lama – the man of peace.

He said, China, by hosting the 2008 Olympic Games must ensure
the bringing in of positive changes and become more responsible partner
in international affairs. “Killing, imprisonment and torture are not a
spirit of sports and the innocents must be released and given free and
fair trials,” he added.

He urged Louise Arbour, the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights to visit Tibet to investigate the recent events and
report the findings to the international community. The High
Commissioner should be allowed to travel with journalists, and other
observers, to bring the truth, he added.

He firmly urged China to stop making false accusations and
discredit His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who is devoted to the principle
of non-violence.