DHARAMSHALA: A prominent international literary organisation has urged the Chinese government to allow Tibetans to preserve their own language and culture, which it said contains the important world heritage of Tibetan Buddhism.

The PEN International, a worldwide association of writers founded in 1921 and which currently has centres in over 100 countries, passed a resolution on Tibet during its 79th Congress held in Iceland from 9-12 September. Some 200 writers from over 70 centres, including a six-member delegation from PEN China, attended the Congress.

The resolution called on the Chinese government to “allow Tibetans to preserve their own language which not only represents the true identity of Tibetans, it also contains the important world heritage of Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetans should be allowed to preserve, exercise freely, and study in their own language, without interference.”

Stop restrictions over Tibetan Buddhist practitioners and the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism in Tibet, and allow religious freedom, the resolution said, adding that Tibetan Buddhist philosophy is a culture which benefits a large portion of human society, including Tibetans, Chinese and others.

It urged the Chinese government to remove restrictions on Tibetan writers and allow freedom of speech, writing and artistic expression for all Tibetans in Tibet, without fear of reprisals or oppression.

It said the international media should be given unfettered access to the Tibetan areas to assess the real situation in Tibet. 

The PEN International plans to submit the resolution to various world bodies, including the United Nations and governments.