His Holiness the Dalai Lama addresses the panel discussion.
Photo: Reuters/Denis Balibouse
His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressed a packed auditorium at a United Nations (UN) human rights conference in Geneva in his capacity as a Nobel Laureate, despite China’s attempt to sabotage the event and urging diplomats to stay away. “One part of the human brain usually develops common sense. Some of these (Chinese) hardliners, that part of brain is missing”, said His Holiness. Hundreds of the Dalai Lama’s supporters, many waving Tibetan flags, rallied outside the nearby United Nations building.
The event, Nobel Laureates on Human Rights – A view from civil society, held on March 11, was a side event of the UN Human Rights Council’s 31st session, sponsored by the United States and Canada, and also featured Nobel laureates from Iran and Yemen.
China’s diplomatic mission in Geneva wrote to diplomats and UN officials raising objections about the presence of the Dalai Lama on the panel of Nobel laureates saying, “Inviting the 14th Dalai Lama …violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China, in contravention of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China resolutely opposes the 14th Dalai Lama’s separatist activities in whatever capacity and in whatever name in any country, organisation or event”. The letter was dated March 8, the day that the event was announced, and continued, “The Permanent Mission of China kindly requests the Permanent Missions of all Member States, UN agencies and relevant International Organisations not to attend the above-mentioned event, nor meet the 14th Dalai Lama and his clique.”
Crowds wait for His Holiness the Dalai Lama outside the United Nations Photo: REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
UN spokesman in Geneva Ahmad Fawzi said, “We take note but of course we are not bound by instructions from member states”. Philippe Burrin, Director of the Geneva institute, said that “pressures are being applied from various sides” but the event would not be cancelled. “This is a question of freedom of expression and academic freedom to organise an event,” he told Reuters and continued, “It is not an event on Tibet, it is not on a politically sensitive subject, ie territorial issues, but on the role of civil society in promoting human rights.”
Reuters reported in October that China is waging a campaign of intimidation, obstruction and harassment that Western diplomats and activists say is aimed at silencing criticism of its human rights record at the United Nations.
China has attempted to disrupt the Dalai Lama’s engagements in his capacity as a Nobel Laureate in the past. In 2014, the venue for World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates was moved from Cape Town, South Africa to Rome, Italy. Objections from China resulted in South Africa refusing a visa for His Holiness to visit South Africa.
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