Tokyo: Flame of Hope, a Japanese NGO dedicated to promoting world peace, issued a statement condemning the Chinese Communist Party leadership for their continued interference in Tibetan religious affairs, especially in the selections of Panchen Lama and other high Tibetan lamas on 30 August 2023. It urged China to stop violations of human rights and religious freedom in Tibet.
Rev. Ryoko Endo, President of the Flame of Hope International Committee and NPO Earth Caravan, and Ms. Ami Nara, Chairperson of the Tokyo office, visited the Liaison Office of H.H. the Dalai Lama and handed the statement to Representative Dr. Arya Tsewang Gyalpo today. They said they were shocked to see and learn the extent of Chinese interference and religious repression in Tibet and further added that this kind of atrocities should be brought to the notice of the international community.
“The Chinese Communist Party through its Religious Affairs Bureau is intervening in the selection of high Tibetan Lamas, including the reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama. This is not acceptable to the international community. If the international community allows Chinese violations of human rights and religious freedom in Tibet to go on, the world will recognise that is depriving the Tibetans of their freedom, peaceful life, and hopeful future,” the statement noted.
The statement concludes with strong wording, “We hereby express our firm protest against the intervention by the Chinese Communist Party and the State Administration for Religious Affairs in the selection of the current 11th Panchen Lama and the reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama.”
Representative Dr. Arya thanked the visiting delegates for their sincere concern and support for the Tibet issue and updated them on the situation in Tibet and Tibetans in exile. He presented them with Tibetan traditional khataks and said that the office and the Flame of Hope could continue to work together promoting peace and harmony around the world.
Flame of Hope is a part of the Earth Caravan, an international peace movement. The group visited Bodhgaya, India last year, attended the teachings of H.H. the Dalai Lama, and received His message and blessings for their Samaritan activities. Flame of Hope International Network has offices in Japan, North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
-Report filed by the Office of Tibet, Japan