DHARAMSHALA : The Nobel Peace Laureates Summit  has been relocated to Rome from 12-14 December after the South African government failed to issue visa to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, according to a statement issued by organizers on 16 November.

The summit was suspended earlier in September after the South African Government failed to issue a visa for His Holiness the Dalai Lama who had hoped to attend the world peace summit in Cape Town, the organiser said.

Instead the 14th global peace summit will be hosted by the City of Rome, at the invitation of Mayor Ignazio Marino between December 12th to 14th.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama along with 22 other Peace Laureates have confirmed their attendance. Among these include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Shirin Ebadi, Leymah Gbowee, Tawakkol Karman, Mrs. Mairead Maguire, President José Ramos-Horta, David Trimble, President Lech Walesa, Betty Williams.

The Chinese government praised South Africa’s decision to deny visa to His Holiness the Dalai Lama from attending the Nobel summit scheduled in Cape Town.

Supporting His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan cause with their presence in Dharamshala on October 2, two Nobel laureates, Jody Williams and Shirin Ebadi,  said they decided to boycott Nobel summit in South Africa to send a strong message to China that they won’t bend under its pressure.

The two Nobel laureates said the real aim of the Nobel summit in South Africa was to celebrate the legacies of the Nelson Mandela. “We are greatly saddened when South Africa denied visa to His Holiness to attend the summit. The summit was cancelled as the Nobel laureates will not attend it.”