By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, FEB 7: A US-based advocacy group for Tibet issues, International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), has expressed its opposition to China’s interfere with US academic freedom following protests by Chinese student groups against the decision of inviting the Dalai Lama as commencement speaker at UC San Diego on June 17.
“The Dalai Lama is widely known for his message of peace, compassion, tolerance and understanding. It is clear that the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) is unfamiliar with the contents of the speeches the Dalai Lama has made in the US, as they inaccurately accuse him of spreading inflammatory, politically offensive speech,” the advocacy group said.
Raising the issue of ‘academic freedom in the country after student groups objected without any merits, the ICT pointed out that it should be of great concern to all Americans, especially to the State Department and the Congress.
“As they have publicly admitted of consulting the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles on their campaign, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates should not be allowed to interfere, directly or indirectly, in the academic decisions of American universities,” ICT said in its statement.
The university last week announced its decision to invite the Tibetan spiritual leader to deliver the commencement address, which was objected by various Chinese student associations. Calling it ‘embarrassing’, many Chinese students have denounced the university’s decision.
The Washington D C based organization also stated how China, over the years, has been trying to influence institutions through both ‘direct threat and financial incentives’ to comply with their version of Tibet.
“By objecting to the invitation, CSSA is doing the work of Beijing. The university’s invitation to the Dalai Lama is a reflection of the support for his thoughts and vision for the broader world. Unfortunately, CSSA is serving the shortsighted political agenda of the current Chinese leadership,” said the ICT.
