Second international Conference of Tibet Support Groups, Bundeshaus, Bonn, Germany, 14-17 June 1996 Statement
(Organised by the Department of Information and International Relations of the Government of Tibet in Exile, in co-operation with the Friedreich-Naumann-Foundation)
From 14 to 1 7 June 1 996 some 250 representatives of Tibet Support Groups (TSGS) from 60 countries met in the parliamentary building, Wasserwerk, in Bonn, Germany, to develop new strategies and action plans in support of the Tibetan people's struggle for freedom. The conference was graced by the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who addressed the conference at its opening session. His Holiness the Dalai Lama emphasised the need for continued and increased international support for the non-violent struggle of the Tibetans. His Holiness re-affirmed his commitment to non-violence, and pointed out that Tibet's struggle could serve as a model for a new, and non-violent way of resolving conflicts. On the other hand, if the Tibetan effort was allowed to fail due to insufficient support, this would be a tragedy for non-violence, with repercussions well beyond Tibet.
The Dalai Lama once again affirmed that even though Tibet was an independent state and has the right to regain its independence, he continues to be willing to enter into negotiations on the basis of Deng Xiao-ping's commitment that anything except total independence could be negotiated and resolved. The Dalai Lama said that he believed that if serious negotiations were to take place, he was certain that a mutually acceptable solution could be found. In order to save Tibet and in the interest of protecting the Tibetan identity and culture from destruction, the Dalai Lama stated he would be prepared to consider genuine self-government for Tibet. But China's insistence on claiming that Tibet is part of China makes it important for us and the TSGs to understand the true status of Tibet, and to speak out on the truth: that Tibet is a country under occupation.
CONFERENCE CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTION PLANS
Common strategic objective
The conference participants deliberated for two and a half days. On Monday June 17 they agreed that the overall common strategic objective must be to achieve the start of substantive negotiations without preconditions between the Chinese and Tibetan Governments, in order for them to find a solution which will bring an end to the suffering of the Tibetan people, in accordance with that people right to self-determination. The conference felt a sense of urgency in the matter. Other Governments - individually, in regional groupings and international fora - must be persuaded to adopt the start of such negotiations without preconditions as a primary element of their policy on China and Tibet. A solution to the Tibet issue through dialogue is essential, not only for the Tibetan and Chinese peoples but also for the international community as a whole - which needs to demonstrate clearly that a non-violent approachto conflict resolution will be recognised and supported, and can achieve a positive solution. This overal
l strategic objective must be kept at the forefront of all TSG activities, including the actions proposed in this action plan.
The Panchen Lama
Deep concern was expressed at the continued detention of the young Panchen Lama by the Chinese authorities. A specific campaign should be launched on 1 0 December for the release of the 11th Panchen Lama.
Parliamentary and Government Initiatives:
Raising Tibet at the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) TSGs will approach Members of Parliament from their own countries who are members of the Inter Parliamentary Union. In the short term, activity will center around the forthcoming 99th IPU conference in Beijing from 16th-20th September 1996. TSG-Denmark will take the leadership in this effort, and is preparing a briefing paper on the IPU with reference to this meeting for use by all TSGS. A long-term goal is to achieve observer status for Tibetan parliamentarians in the IPU.
Manual for Parliamentary Action
A manual for TSGs on Parliamentary lobbying will be prepared, with information concerning previous parliamentary actions, resolutions, and advice on how to lobby. A draft manual will be prepared which will be translated where necessary and adapted to local circumstances in the various regions of the world by a TSG in each region. The Minister for Information and International Relations of the Government Of Tibet In Exile has undertaken to arrange for the preparation, in India, of such a draft manual by October of this year.
G7 Meeting
The upcoming G7 meeting should be an important focus of lobbying efforts to obtain the adoption of a favourable position on Tibet by the members of the G7, given the difficulty identified by the conference in persuading individual governments to take a position on their own. The ICT will send a campaign briefing to the TSGs in G7-member countries and others that may have influence on a G7 member (e.g. EU countries).
Chinese Admission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO)
China's application for WTO membership provides a significant opportunity to focus attention on Tibet: Asia Watch is taking a strong position on China's application and the International Campaign for Tibet is near to completing a document on the issue, which will aim to link China's membership with meaningful negotiations between Tibet and China. This can be used by TSGs to campaign against unconditional Chinese admission to the WTO.
Co-ordination with World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet
In undertaking parliamentary lobbying action, the decisions and resolutions of the WPCT to be taken into account, and efforts should be undertaken in support of these decisions. One important such decision made in Vilnius at the last meeting of the WPCT was to undertake world-wide efforts to hold parliamentary hearings on Tibet, in which the issue of Tibet's legal status and the legitimacy of China's claims to Tibet would be included. A number of such hearings have already been held. Building on those precedents, more such hearings should be encouraged.
Outreach to the Chinese People
The conference stressed the importance of reaching out to the Chinese people in China and abroad. TSGs can also play a role in encouraging meetings of Tibetans and Chinese on a personal level, looking at common issues and not only stressing differences. There is a need to find ways for greater dissemination of information on Tibet among the Chinese, inside and outside China.
International Trade Relations with China
Views on appropriate policy for TSGs regarding corporations doing business in China and Tibet and on trade with China ranged between a boycott/sanctions on the one hand to co-opting investment and business organisations operating in China as partners on the other. In this respect, the guidelines adopted by the Government Of Tibet In Exile, and the study on doing business in Tibet prepared by ICT should serve as important guides in determining individual TSG policy. There was a greater consensus on boycotting goods which can be specifically identified as being manufactured by prison and forced labour. Colorado Friends of Tibet will liaise on this issue with the Laogai Foundation. In future new initiatives may be taken. Tibetans pointed out that they too, as a community, need to intensify their own efforts in relation to any boycott.
The dumping by China of cheap products in countries worldwide, particularly in Latin American countries and developing countries, and the negative impact of this practice on employment in those countries can be used strategically in involving trade unions, professional organizations and governments on the Tibet issue.Expert economic analysis of the Chinese economy is required, together with information on profits/losses being made by companies doing business in China. There also needs to be an analysis of effects of Chinese investments in different (developing and Latin American) countries. The dangers of contracts not being honoured, losing investments made, and misappropriation of funds should also be researched. Some materials on this issue are to be compiled by Colorado Friends of Tibet.
Information sharing and co-ordination
The importance for TSGs of having access to accurate information in a timely manner is crucial. A large amount of information on developments in Tibet, government and parliamentary activities, development projects, and TSG activity as well as studies on various issues are available. The conference expressed the urgent need to strengthen existing email network capability of TSGS: theobjective should be to get all TSGs online as soon as possible. To this end a number of activities will be undertaken:
The Canada Tibet Committee will distribute a one-pager listing of computer resources. For those TSGs who are not on the email, a 'buddy system' will be established by Canada Tibet Committee to find individuals to help those TSGs that do have access to the Internet to make effective use of it. For those TSG who do not have access to email, a 'buddy' will assist them to get online, or, if that is not possible, to provide them with the necessary information via fax or snail-mail. The setting up of this system is to be also coordinated by Canada Tibet Committee. The TSG representatives stressed the need for better distribution of information to TSGs on such issues as developments in Tibet, the position of the Government Of Tibet In Exile on various issues, actions and campaign initiatives of other TSGS, actions of governments or parliaments on Tibet, and documentation, (new) publications and other materials available on Tibet. Possibilities were explored of this being organized from India. The Government Of Tibe
t In Exile stated it would appoint one person at DIIR with the specific task of sending such information and maintaining contacts with TSGS. Other options were also looked at. The need for some form of improved co-ordination between TSGs on regional and international levels. was felt by many participants. This would have to happen without creating new super-structures, but, rather, by using existing ones. Regular meetings would have to be held on regional levels and on international level, preferably once every three years. In addition the possibility of assigning the task of facilitating such co-ordination to an individual, for example, based in India, will be explored.
Regional Focuses
Specific conditions in different regions of the world require strategies adapted to those regions. The Latin American and European regions met and determined some specific adaptations of strategies for their regions. Some of the conclusions reached are found elsewhere in this statement. The importance of developing support for Tibet in countries in Asia, Africa, the Pacific and the Caribbean was recognized, and the TSGs look to the Government Of Tibet In Exile for guidance and leadership in this regard. Emphasis at this stage should be on encouraging the creation of TSGs in some selected countries, and strengthening newly established ones. The TSGs in South Africa, in particular, need to be assisted. In countries that recognize Taiwan, there may be greater possibility of developing activity. It is essential that the specific situation and cultural and political conditions, as well as the affinities in each country be understood and utilized. Thus, for example, the issue of nuclear testing will have a resonan
ce in the Pacific, as will colonialism in African countries. As was true of the early interest in Europe and elsewhere, awareness will first have to be developed in those countries through educational activities, for example, in Tibetan culture.
Economic Development in TibetAny economic or development projects being planned or carried out in Tibet must be assessed in terms of the benefit or harm they may bring to the Tibetan people, and, in particular, their effect on China's population transfer policy. In order to intensify monitoring and reaction to such programs, the TSGs will look for information on projects supported by governments, the EU, international agencies and NG0s and analyze them. A resource directory or database about projects in Tibet should be prepared to make this information available to others. Campaigns may be organized where appropriate. It was stressed by Tibetans who have recently worked in Tibet, that there is a need to support small private initiatives in Tibet which will empower Tibetans and help them in the field of education, health and relief of poverty. On the other hand, projects that directly or indirectly benefit the Chinese authorities or colonists should be scrutinized.
Abuse of women
The conference expressed its strong condemnation of the treatment of women in Tibet, including, in particular policies of involuntary sterilization and abortion.
Environment
It is stressed that the environmental issues, the destruction of the environment, nuclear industry and the resulting pollution, and the nuclear testing in Eastern Turkestan should be focused on in the coming years, and should be made integral parts of the work of TSGS. The conference decided to intensify protest against nuclear testing in
Eastern Turkestan.
SPECIFIC CAMPAIGN
March 10, coordinated demonstrations and flag flying
This year, there were approximately 600 cities and municipalities that officially flew the Tibetan National Flag on March 10. This initiative was coordinated by the Transnational Radical Party. There was consensus that this was a campaign that should be intensified by all TSGs worldwide. The goal is to try to have 6000 cities and municipalities fly Tibetan flags world-wide on March 10, 1997. On this same day, TSGs should also join together to hold major regional demonstrations. Geneva for Europe ( at the UN), New Delhi for Asia, etc.
Parliamentary petition to the UN Secretary-General to press for negotiations:
The initiative of the Transnational Radical Party to obtain 2000 signatures of parliamentarians, and a meeting with the Secretary-General to urge the UN Secretary General to receive His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be supported by the TSGS.
Grassroots petition / letterwriting to the UN Secretary-General to press for negotiations
Letter campaign calling on Secretary-General of UN to implement the past resolutions on Tibet by providing his good offices to bring about negotiations between Tibet and China have been suggested. Tibet supporters are urged to write letters to UN Secretary General to implement the UNGA Resolutions on Tibet. Letters also to be sent to the Government Missions to the UN and Foreign Ministries. Details of this campaign are to be worked out. On a national level, the India-Tibet Friendship Society and the Himalayan Committee for Action on Tibet have initiated their own campaign directed at their government. Similar campaigns may be launched in other countries.
Hong Kong campaign
The return of Hong Kong to China will be used to focus attention on Tibet. To this end a plan was developed: Tibet supporters in Hong Kong to create awareness among Chinese concerning Tibet issues TSGs to stress the relevance of what is happening in Tibet for Hong Kong. A strategy will be developed by TSG-UK in consultation with DIIR. press strategy by TSG-UK & ICT create awareness of Tibet issue with Hong Kong Legislature Council using ICT report, Michael van Walt's paper on Status of Tibet and the Amnesty Int'l report (TSG UK) reach Chinese population as part of the existing and long-term strategy of reaching out to the overseas Chinese.
Setting of -Tibet-friendly Mutual Fund
Milarepa Fund is already working on setting of Tibet-friendly Mutual Fund and related initiatives.
EU Stand up to China Campaign
In view of the upcoming four European Presidencies which are sympathetic to the Tibetan cause, Ireland (from July), Netherlands (January 97), Luxembourg and Belgium, a European Union Working Group met to discuss how to gain support within the EU to 'insist on negotiations without preconditions' in all dealings with China. This campaign will be inaugurated with the cooperation of Amnesty International and East Timor solidarity at the opening of Ireland's presidency in Dublin next month. Lead to be taken by TSG-Ireland. TSG-UK will provide papers on EU's policies on China.
World Women's Union for Tibet
This will be launched on March 8, 1 997 and co-ordinated by CSPT Paris.
Action on specific days
International Women's Day on March 8
World Earth Day on April 22
Tibetan Democracy Day on September 2
Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday on October 2
To highlight the non-violent nature of the Tibetan struggle and to use the opportunity to undertake activities in support of theproposed Satyagraha movement.
Internationalisation of the Students for Free Tibet Movement.
Encourage all TSGs to start chapters of Students for a Free Tibet in their campuses and encourage international students to get involved in Students for a Free Tibet.
Bonn, Germany
June 17, 1996
