German PM Voice Deep Concern Over Crisis in Tibet

Berlin, 9 November 2012: - The Tibet-Group of the German Bundestag is deeply concerned and shocked after the recent wave of self-immolations in Tibet.

"We urge the Chinese government to end the repressions in Tibet and to seek dialogue with the Tibetans.", said chairwoman Sabine Weiss (Christian Democratic Union).

"The self-immolations are result of Beijing's failed Tibet-policies. The new Chinese leadership must acknowledge this and change course in Tibet", added co-chairs Sabine Bätzing-Lichtenthäler (Social Democratic Party), Harald Leibrecht (Free Democratic Party) and Manuel Sarrazin (Alliance 90 / The Greens).

Since February 2009, 69 Tibetans have self-immolated in Tibet as protest against the Chinese policies in Tibet. According to reports, five Tibetans self-immolated on November 7 alone.

The „Tibet-Discussion-Panel" was founded in May 1995 after a hearing on Tibet in the foreign affairs committee of the German Bundestag.

Its aim is to create a better awareness for the issue of Tibet among parliamentarians and to find ways and means how Germany can contribute to an improvement in Tibet.

The German Federal Government has released recently its periodic report on the Federal German Government's human rights policy, covering the period from March 2010 to February 2012.

The report lacks specific country reports, but rather refers to certain issues the German government has paid particular attention to with regard to human rights.

On Tibet, the report contains following statements:

"Particular worrisome is the human rights situation in Tibet and Xinjiang. Freedom of assembly and freedom of religion are suppressed more heavily in these regions than in others.

The Central Government continues to relentlessly persecute any (even alleged) endeavor for autonomy or independence.

The self-immolations of young Tibetan monks and nuns at the monastery of Kirti - a place confronted with extraordinary repressive measures – were particularly desperate expressions of protest against these politics of repression."