Rights Groups Urge Merkel to Engage China on Tibet IssueThursday, 23 October 2008, 10:48 a.m.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel with His Holiness the   Dalai Lama during a meeting in the Chancellory in Berlin  on 23 September 2007./File Photo

Dharamshala: International human rights groups have urged German Chancellor Angela Merkel to engage the Chinese government in finding a meaningful solution to the issue of Tibet during her visit to China.Merkel arrived in Beijing Thursday to participate in the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit on Friday and Saturday.”At this critical juncture in relations between Europe and China, Chancellor Merkel must press Chinese President Hu Jintao for tangible results from the dialogue between the Dalai Lama’s representatives and Chinese officials,” The EarthTimes quoted Kate Saunders of the US-based International Campaign for Tibet as saying. This largest-ever ASEM gathering took place at a time of severe repression against peaceful dissent in Tibet, Saunders said. The German chancellor and the other heads of state and government should press during their talks in Beijing for inclusion of a reference to the situation in Tibet and the necessity to respect the rights of Tibetans in the final ASEM statement and declaration, she said.   Putting any discussion of Tibet aside at ASEM because of Chinese sensitivities would run counter to the ASEM agenda, which is to promote understanding and enhance cooperation through dialogue, Saunders said. Merkel, who is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Wen Jiabao on Thursday and President Hu Jintao on Friday, was set to raise human rights issues, deputy spokesman Thomas Steg said.Merkel last met with President Hu at a Group of Eight summit in Japan in July and she used the talks to push for a successful outcome to talks between China and the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and according to officials in Berlin she will not shy away from “critical issues” this week either.The Chinese government has sealed off Tibet after its violent clampdown on peaceful Tibetan protestors demanding human rights and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in March this year.