Author: Sheela Bhatt in New Delhi
Publication: Rediff.com
Date: March 23, 2008
URL: http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/mar/23tibetrow.htm
Leading Chinese intellectuals and writers
have released a petition that suggests twelve ways to deal with the Tibet
crisis. The petition, which indicates a major shift in the intellectual scene
of China, has appeared on several websites.
According to a report, the petition states,
"Chinese voices are being raised in China in response to the way Beijing
[Images] has handled the protests that began on March 10."
The report added that the signatories include
Chinese writers Wang Lixiong, Liu Xiaobo and Yu Jie, Professor Ding Zilin
from the pressure group Tiananmen Mothers as well as other scholars, lawyers
and artists.
The creative Chinese petition states that
the language used by the Chinese government to describe the Dalai Lama is
not "in keeping with the situation, nor is it beneficial to the Chinese
government's image."
"As the Chinese government is committed
to integrating into the international community, we maintain that it should
display a style of governing that conforms to the standards of modern civilization,"
the petition adds.
The letter is signed by 29 signatories and
displays courage on their part. It urges the Chinese government to "stop
the violent suppression" in Tibet, and appeals to the Tibetan people
not to engage in violent activities.
It also urges the Chinese government to end
the propaganda and news blockade, saying: "The one-sided propaganda of
the official Chinese media is having the effect of stirring up inter-ethnic
animosity and aggravating an already tense situation. This is extremely detrimental
to the long-term goal of safeguarding national unity."
The petition also points out that the current
protests are widespread, unlike the protests that erupted in March 1989.
The writers say: "This deterioration
indicates that there are serious mistakes in the work that has been done with
regard to Tibet. The relevant government departments must conscientiously
reflect upon this matter, examine their failures, and fundamentally change
the failed nationality policies."
The Chinese intellectuals want the government
to have a dialogue with the Dalai Lama to "eliminate animosity and bring
about national reconciliation". They have also appealed for calm and
reflection among Chinese people.
The twelve suggestions for dealing with the Tibetan situation are as follows:
1. At present the one-sided propaganda of
the official Chinese media is having the effect of stirring up inter-ethnic
animosity and aggravating an already tense situation. This is extremely detrimental
to the long-term goal of safeguarding national unity. We call for such propaganda
to be stopped.
2. We support the Dalai Lama's [Images] appeal for peace, and hope that the
ethnic conflict can be dealt with according to the principles of goodwill,
peace, and non-violence. We condemn any violent act against innocent people,
strongly urge the Chinese government to stop the violent suppression, and
appeal to the Tibetan people likewise not to engage in violent activities.
3. The Chinese government claims, "There is sufficient evidence to prove
this incident was organised, premeditated, and meticulously orchestrated by
the Dalai clique." We hope that the government will show proof of this.
In order to change the international community's negative view and distrustful
attitude, we also suggest that the government invite the United Nation's Commission
on Human Rights to carry out an independent investigation of the evidence,
the course of the incident, the number of casualties, etc.
4. In our opinion, such Cultural-Revolution-like language as "the Dalai
Lama is a jackal in Buddhist monk's robes and an evil spirit with a human
face and the heart of a beast" used by the Chinese Communist Party leadership
in the Tibet Autonomous Region is of no help in easing the situation, nor
is it beneficial to the Chinese government's image. As the Chinese government
is committed to integrating into the international community, we maintain
that it should display a style of governing that conforms to the standards
of modern civilization.
5. We note that on the very day violence erupted in Lhasa (March 14), the
leaders of the Tibet Autonomous Region declared that "there is sufficient
evidence to prove this incident was organized, premeditated, and meticulously
orchestrated by the Dalai clique." This shows that the authorities in
Tibet knew in advance that the riot would occur, yet did nothing effective
to prevent the incident from happening or escalating. If there was a dereliction
of duty, a serious investigation must be carried out to determine this and
deal with it accordingly.
6. If in the end it cannot be proved that this was an organized, premeditated,
and meticulously orchestrated event but was instead a popular revolt triggered
by events, then the authorities should pursue those responsible for inciting
the popular revolt and concocting false information to deceive the Central
Government and the people; they should also seriously reflect on what can
be learned from this event so as to avoid taking the same course in the future.
7. We strongly demand that the authorities not subject every Tibetan to political
investigation or revenge. The trials of those who have been arrested must
be carried out according to judicial procedures that are open, just, and transparent
so as to ensure that all parties are satisfied.
8. We urge the Chinese government to allow credible national and international
media to go into Tibetan areas to conduct independent interviews and news
reports. In our view, the current news blockade cannot gain credit with the
Chinese people or the international community, and is harmful to the credibility
of the Chinese government. If the government grasps the true situation, it
need not fear challenges. Only by adopting an open attitude can we turn around
the international community's distrust of our government.
9. We appeal to the Chinese people and overseas Chinese to be calm and tolerant,
and to reflect deeply on what is happening. Adopting a posture of aggressive
nationalism will only invite antipathy from the international community and
harm China's international image.
10. The disturbances in Tibet in the 1980s were limited to Lhasa, whereas
this time they have spread to many Tibetan areas. This deterioration indicates
that there are serious mistakes in the work that has been done with regard
to Tibet. The relevant government departments must conscientiously reflect
upon this matter, examine their failures, and fundamentally change the failed
nationality policies.
11. In order to prevent similar incidents from happening in future, the government
must abide by the freedom of religious belief and the freedom of speech explicitly
enshrined in the Chinese Constitution, thereby allowing the Tibetan people
fully to express their grievances and hopes, and permitting citizens of all
nationalities freely to criticize and make suggestions regarding the government's
nationality policies.
12. We hold that we must eliminate animosity and bring about national reconciliation,
not continue to increase divisions between nationalities. A country that wishes
to avoid the partition of its territory must first avoid divisions among its
nationalities. Therefore, we appeal to the leaders of our country to hold
direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama. We hope that the Chinese and Tibetan
people will do away with the misunderstandings between them, develop their
interactions with each other, and achieve unity. Government departments, as
much as popular organizations and religious figures, should make great efforts
toward this goal.
