By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Oct.25: The Pen International delegates on Saturday announced their motion submitted at the ‘Assembly of Delegates of Pen International’ meeting at its 81st World Congress in Quebec , Canada, held recently from Oct. 13 to 16.
The motion submitted by Tibetan Writers Abroad, English PEN, Independent Chinese PEN Centre and Sydney PEN titled Resolution #14: The right to freedom of speech and the situation of writers in the autonomous region of Tibet espouses the gross mistreatment of Tibetan writers and other intellectuals suffering and penalized for merely exercising their right to speech and expression.
As a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which provides for freedom of legitimate expression, the right not to be arbitrarily detained and the right to a fair trial, China is obliged to “refrain from acts that would defeat or undermine the treaty’s objective and purpose,” reads the declaration.
The Assembly of delegates of PEN international has urged the Chinese government to release Tibetan writers and others imprisoned for expressing their basic rights, cease torturing and ill treatment of writers and intellectuals, respect the right to freedom of expression, remove restrictions imposed on the communication and education of Tibetan language and ensure appropriate measures to protect and develop the Tibetan culture.
While condemning the repression of Tibetan culture and non-violent protests, they announced a few appeals that push on China to not only recognize the damages and loss caused so far but also halt their propagandist policies that allow such practices. The consequent victims of such repressions highlighted by the plight of Tibetan writers Lhamo Kyab, Yeshi Choedon and literary website editor Konchok Tsephel, all of whom had been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The self-immolations in Tibet and the sad incident of Tibetan philanthropist Lama and teacher Tulku Tenzin Delek was also mentioned questioning the treatment of Tibetans in Tibet and the human rights situation in Tibet.
Lobsang Tsering, the nephew of the deceased Lithang Tulku recently on Oct. 22 testified in the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, recounting the details of the landmark case portraying China’s treatment of Tibetan prisoners.
He said, “My uncle was persecuted for his support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he was an advocate for the social, cultural, economic, and religious rights of local residents. He challenged deforestation projects at the expense of local communities”.
Tulku Tenzin Delek died under ‘mysterious circumstances’ while serving a life sentence in Chinese prison on July 12, 2015 although his relatives claim murder by ‘poisoning’ after they saw the conditions of the body before a hasty cremation against their wishes on July 16.
