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New Delhi (AsiaNews) – Exiled Tibetan dissidents ask the Indian government to review its policy with regards to Tibet, “factor of stability between the northern borders of the country” and “the only example of democracy in the Chinese area”. The requests were made yesterday in front of the Indian Parliament as the protests for International Human Rights Day were carried out.

 

The Core Group for Tibetan Cause stated “This claim of demonstration and public rallies is being organized to press the Indian government to review its Tibet policy and adopt a reasonable and self respecting position on the last surviving colony in a civilized world. We ask New Delhi to speak up and condemn the Chinese occupation of Tibet”. In order to obtain results, the Group asks the Indian government to “use its influence in convincing Beijing to utilise dialogue as an instrument for a passive solution to the issue. We want to remind you that a free and independent Tibet is the only lasting guarantee for peace in India’s North borders”.

 

Tsering Dorje, coordinator of the India Tibet Coordination Centre (ITCO) told AsiaNews:

 “Presently, the Tibetan people do not have human rights, nor religious freedom. The Dalai Lama, who only yesterday celebrated the 18th anniversary of his being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, has always called for human rights of the Tibetan people. Those living in the region are in need of immediate assistance”.

 

The Group continued by saying that India “has an over-cautious approach towards China, especially with regards to our situation. It is true that we have always been helped, in many ways, but it is also true that in the public scene the Indian government has taken a few steps backwards: for example, we have never been accepted as political refugees. Also, Delhi does not speak up enough about the Tibetan issue. It should be said clearly that Tibet is an occupied country”.