The Statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the Forty-Ninth Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day

On the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the Tibetan people’s
peaceful uprising in Lhasa on 10 March 1959, I offer my prayers and pay
tribute to those brave men and women of Tibet who have endured untold
hardships and sacrificed their lives for the cause of the Tibetan
people and express my solidarity with those Tibetans presently
undergoing repression and ill-treatment.-I also extend my-greetings to
Tibetans in and outside Tibet, supporters of the Tibetan cause and-all
who cherish justice.

For nearly six decades, Tibetans in the whole of Tibet known as
Cholkha-Sum (U-Tsang, Kham and Amdo) have had to live in a state of
constant fear, intimidation and suspicion under Chinese
repression.-Nevertheless, in addition to maintaining their religious
faith, a sense of nationalism and their unique
culture, the Tibetan people have been able to keep alive their basic
aspiration for freedom. I have great admiration for the special
characteristics of the Tibetan people and their indomitable courage. I
am extremely pleased and proud of them.

Many governments, non-governmental organisations and individuals across
the world, because of their interest in peace and justice, have
consistently supported the cause of Tibet. Particularly during the past
year, governments and peoples of many countries made important gestures
that clearly expressed their support to us. I would like to express my
gratitude to every one of them.

The problem of Tibet is very complicated. It is intrinsically linked
with many issues: politics, the nature of society, law, human rights,
religion, culture, the identity of a people, the economy and the
state of the natural environment. Consequently, a comprehensive
approach must be adopted to resolve this
problem that takes into account the benefits to all parties involved,
rather than one party alone. Therefore, we have been firm in our
commitment to a mutually beneficial policy, the Middle-Way approach,
and have made sincere and persistent efforts towards achieving this for
many years. Since 2002, my envoys have conducted six rounds of talks
with concerned officials of the People’s Republic of China to discuss
relevant issues. These extensive discussions have helped to clear away
some of their doubts and enabled us to explain our aspirations to them.
However, on the fundamental issue, there has been no concrete result at
all. And during the past few years, Tibet has witnessed increased
repression and brutality. In spite of these unfortunate developments,
my stand and determination to pursue the Middle-Way policy and to
continue our dialogue with the Chinese government remain unchanged.

A major concern of the People’s Republic of China is its lack of
legitimacy in Tibet. The principal way to lend weight to their position
is for the Chinese government to pursue a policy that satisfies the
Tibetan people and gains their confidence. If we are able to achieve
reconciliation by treading a path of mutual consent, then, as I have
already stated many times, I will make every effort to win the support
of the Tibetan people.

In Tibet today, due to the Chinese governmentïž’s numerous actions,
driven as they are by a lack of foresight, the natural environment has
been severely damaged. And, as a result of their policy of population
transfer the non-Tibetan population has increased many times, reducing
native Tibetans to an insignificant minority in their own country.
Moreover, the language, customs and traditions of Tibet, which reflect
the true nature and identity of the Tibetan people are gradually fading
away. As a consequence, Tibetans are increasingly being assimilated
into the larger Chinese population. In Tibet, repression continues to
increase with numerous, unimaginable and gross violations of human
rights, denial of religious freedom and the politicisation of religious
issues. All these take place as a result of the
Chinese governmentïž’s lack of respect for the Tibetan people. These are
major obstacles the Chinese
government deliberately puts in the way of its policy of unifying
nationalities which discriminate between the Tibetan and Chinese
peoples. Therefore, I urge the Chinese government to bring an immediate
halt to such policies.

Although the areas inhabited by Tibetan people are referred to by such
different names as autonomous region, autonomous prefectures and
autonomous counties, they are autonomous in name only; they
actually have no real autonomy. Instead, they are governed by people
who are oblivious of the regional
situation, and driven by what Mao Zedong called ïž“Han chauvinismïž”. As a
result, this so-called autonomy has not brought the concerned
nationalities any tangible benefit. Disingenuous policies that are not
in tune with reality are causing enormous harm not only to the
respective nationalities, but also to the unity and stability of the
Chinese nation. It is important for the Chinese government, as advised
by Deng Xiaoping, to ïž“seek truth from factsïž” in the real sense of the
term.

The Chinese government severely criticises me when I raise questions
about the welfare of the Tibetan people before the international
community. Until we reach a mutually beneficial solution, I have a
historical and moral responsibility to continue to speak out freely on
their behalf. However, it is common knowledge that I have been in
semi-retirement since the political leadership of the Tibetan Diaspora
has been directly elected by the general Tibetan populace.

China is emerging as a powerful country due to her great economic
progress. This is to be welcomed, but it has also provided China an
opportunity to play an important role on the global stage. The world is
eagerly waiting to see how the present Chinese leadership will put into
effect its avowed concepts of “harmonious society” and “peaceful rise”.
For the realisation of these concepts, economic progress alone will not
suffice. There must be improvements in observance of the rule of law,
transparency, and right to information, as well as freedom of speech.
Since China is a country of many nationalities, they must all be given
equality and freedom to protect their respective unique identities if
the country is to remain stable.

On 6 March 2008, President Hu Jintao stated: ïž“The stability in Tibet
concerns the stability of the country, and the safety in Tibet concerns
the safety of the country.ïž” He added that the Chinese
leadership must ensure the well-being of Tibetans, improve the work
related to religions and ethnic groups, and maintain social harmony and
stability. President Huïž’s statement conforms to reality and we look
forward to its implementation.

This year, the Chinese people are proudly and eagerly awaiting the
opening of the Olympic Games. I have, from the very beginning,
supported the idea that China should be granted the opportunity to host
the Olympic Games. Since such international sporting events, and
especially the Olympics, uphold the principles of freedom of speech,
freedom of expression, equality and friendship, China should prove
herself a good host by providing these freedoms. Therefore, besides
sending their athletes, the international community should remind the
Chinese government of these issues. I have come to know that many
parliaments, individuals and non-governmental organisations around the
globe are undertaking a number of activities in view of the opportunity
that exists for China to make a positive change. I admire their
sincerity. I would like to state emphatically that it will be very
important to observe the period following the conclusion of the Games.
ïž The Olympic Games no doubt will greatly impact the minds of the
Chinese people. The world should, therefore, explore ways of investing
their collective energies in producing a continuous positive change
inside China even after the Olympics have come to an end.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my pride in and
appreciation for the sincerity, courage and determination of the
Tibetan people inside Tibet. I urge them to continue to work peacefully
and within the law to ensure that all the minority nationalities of the
People’s Republic of China,
including the Tibetan people, enjoy their legitimate rights and
benefits.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Government and
people of India, in particular, for their continuing and unparalleled
support for Tibetan refugees and the cause of Tibet, as well
as express my gratitude to all those governments and peoples for their
continued concern for the Tibetan cause.

With my prayers for the well-being of all sentient beings.

The Dalai Lama
10 March 2008

N.B. Translated from the Tibetan