Today is the 75th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet.

This notable anniversary comes against a backdrop of increasing oppression in Tibet and the largest crackdown on Tibetan intellectuals, writers and artists since the Cultural Revolution. Recent months have seen the arrest of several influential Tibetans, including Tibetan environmentalist and entrepreneur Karma Samdrup and signer Tashi Dhondup, in a sign that Beijing is broadening its crackdown to include Tibetans who have stayed outside of politics(1).

Internationally, Tibetans and Tibet supporters are using the occasion to appeal for stronger action from the international community to encourage Chinese President Hu Jintao to meet with the Dalai Lama as a first step towards meaningful negotiations on Tibet’s future(2).

Australia’s growing Tibetan community is preparing to mark the occasion with events is Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and Perth over the coming days.

The Australian Government has been almost silent on Tibet since 2008, despite the continuing crackdown inside Tibet and failure of the current Tibet-China dialogue to bring genuine progress towards a mutually agreeable resolution. Last month the Government and Opposition voted down a motion from Greens Senator Scott Ludlam congratulating the Dalai Lama on celebrating his 75th birthday in July and expressing hopes for a peacefully negotiated settlement between the Tibetan people and the People’s Republic of China(3).

The Dalai Lama is the world’s foremost living proponent of peace, non-violence and inter-religious harmony. A Nobel Peace Prize winner, the Dalai Lama has worked tirelessly for peaceful resolution of the Tibet-China issue. He is recognized globally for his contributions to the promotion of human rights, democracy, environmental awareness, secular ethics and universal responsibility.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND COMMENT
Australia Tibet Council (02) 9283 3466

NOTES
(1) See: China Cracks Down on Influential Tibetans
(2) www.dalailama75.org
(3) See: Major Parties Vote Down Motion Congratulating The Dalai Lama On His 75th Birthday