Cambodian MP Asks President Hu for Dialogue on Tibet

Thursday, March 29 2012
www.tibet.net

AMSTERDAM: Mr Son Chhay (pictured), a member of the National Assembly in Cambodia has in an open letter to President Hu Jintao, called for negotiations to resolve the issue of Tibet as the Chinese President is scheduled to visit Cambodia from 30 March to 2 April 2012.

In the letter dated 26 March 2012, Mr Chhay said: “The continuation of China’s systematic repression of Tibetan people can not be ignored. Tibetans are gentle and peace loving people and they are seeking a level of autonomy to preserve their culture and their way of life. Surely it is not too much to ask. President Hu Jintao please use your authority to put an end to any further egregious human rights violations and begin to reconcile with the Tibetan Government-in-exile to settle the problem by beginning negotiations, without further delay, with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”

The letter also raising many concerns about China’s policies which affect Cambodia while touching on the current situation in Tibet stated: “In particular, recent events in Tibet have involved the self-immolation of a number of Tibetans – the last count was 30 confirmed self-immolations since February 2009. President, this is their desperate attempt to gain the world’s attention over the plight of Tibet and the lack of religious freedom, some as young as 18 years old!

Mr Chhay was one of the parliamentarians who joined the Tibetans on 2 September 2010 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Tibetan Democracy Day which took place at Sera Monastery in Bylakuppe, South India.