DHARAMSHALA, August 24: Kalon Dicki Chhoyang, the Tibetan minister for Information and International Relations is currently in South Africa, meeting leaders and speaking on the critical situation inside Tibet.
The minister also met with representatives of different political parties for consultations and briefings on the current human rights situation in Tibet and the ongoing wave of self-immolations, which now numbers 49.
The cabinet member of the Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration, on her maiden visit to the African nation, held a joint press conference with the Democratic Alliance, the Congress of the People, and the Inkatha Freedom Party.
In a statement issued by Chhoyang, she called the Tibetan struggle “a people’s fight for its right to exist with its own distinct cultural identity and language.”
“This includes the right to practice their religion openly and without hindrance from the State as permitted in all free countries. We are not seeking to secede from China, ” Kalon Chhoyang reaffirmed.
With growing bilateral ties between South Africa and China, the Tibetan minister urged South African leaders to uphold their cherished values of human rights protection and democracy in their dealings with China.
“Therefore, the people of Tibet have great expectations that the people of South Africa may exercise moral leadership,” Kalon Chhoyang said.
She also called for greater support for the Tibetan struggle.
“In an age where we seek to resolve conflicts peacefully, the international community must stand behind these principles by supporting movements, such as the Tibetan struggle, which are firmly committed to non-violence and dialogue” states Kalon Chhoyang.
“As Tibetan areas where self-immolations took place have been closed to the international press and community, the Central Tibetan Administration encourages foreign governments and international bodies to pursue efforts to send fact-finding delegations.”
Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Member of Parliament and leader of the IFP, in a commentary said he was pleased to meet the Tibetan minister in Durban.
“I have supported this cause because I believe that the democratisation and decentralisation of China can start from Tibet,” Buthelezi said.
“But I also support Tibet because, despite the continued atrocities and human rights violations perpetrated against them, Tibetans have pursued their decades-long struggle exclusively through the methods of nonviolence, negotiations and moral high ground.”
