DHARAMSHALA: Expressing grave concern over Tibetan self-immolations, the chairmen of the bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China have urged the Chinese government to end repressive policies against the Tibetan people and to resume a dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama or his representatives.

“We hope for an end to these tragic self-immolations soon. The Chinese government can reduce tension, but not through its current policy of harsher regulations and heavier security,” said Senator Sherrod Brown, Chairman of the Commission, said in a statement on 18 March.

“Ending policies that deny Tibetans their freedoms of expression, association, and religion, while showing greater tolerance for cultural diversity, and resuming a dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives without preconditions would go a long way toward easing tensions,” Senator Brown added.

“In recent years, Chinese officials have tightened controls on Tibetan Buddhism and monastic institutions, used excessive force against peaceful demonstrators, promoted resettlement and educational policies that have threatened and disrupted Tibetan culture and language, and closed Tibetan areas off to the outside world,” said Congressman Chris Smith, Cochairman of the Commission. “Reversing these policies and allowing international observers into the region would do much to alleviate the situation.”

“This month marks five years since the start of mostly peaceful protests that swept across the Tibetan plateau in March and April 2008 in opposition to Chinese policies that infringe on the culture, language, religion, and livelihood of Tibetans. Following the protests, policies that were already harsh have intensified,” the statement noted.

“In a special report released in August 2012, the Commission noted how the self-immolations had spread geographically and from the Tibetan Buddhist monastic community to the lay population. The Commission continues to monitor the situation and issue periodic updates, the most recent issued on March 8.” (View full statement)

Since 2009, 108 Tibetans have self-immolated in Tibet calling for freedom for Tibetans and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet. 90 of them died.