By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, October 21: The Chinese President Xi Jinping on his first ever state visit to Britain was greeted by hundreds of pro-Tibet protesters including activists from the Students for Free Tibet (SFT) and Amnesty International. The protestors demanded that the British Prime Minister speak out on Human rights with Xi.
The pro-Tibet supporters waved the Tibetan national flag and held banners that read, ‘China: Buying UK’s silence on Tibet’, ‘Xi Jinping: End occupation in Tibet’, ‘Tibetans are dying for Freedom’ and ‘Freedom and human rights in Tibet’, outside the Parliament.
Though outnumbered by the pro-China activists, the Tibetan supporters continued with their protests. Padma Dolma, SFT Campaigns Director, told Reuters that the Chinese President did not deserve to be wined and dined by the Queen or Cameron because he shows no respect for Human Rights.
Padma said that it is an embarrassment for the UK that David Cameron is meeting Xi Jinping when he did not meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the latter’s visit.
“David Cameron and the UK government have failed Tibetans inside Tibet with their ‘Kowtow’ approach to the Chinese government and by keeping silent over Tibet,” she told Phayul.
Kate Allen, the Director of Amnesty International UK, said, “Our main concern is that our prime minister talks to the president of China about human rights and our worry is that it is not happening. We want to make it clear to David Cameron that we expect human rights to be on agenda.”
Meanwhile, Prince Charles cut short his welcome when he took a leave of absence from the banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II, which many viewed as a snub.
