Arrests of monks and intellectuals, death sentences and life imprisonment, Tibetan deleted as the language of academic study: the persecution continues in Tibet. The exiled Tibetan prime minister praises the award to Liu and recalls the Pope’s commitment of in favor of the human person.

Dharamsala (AsiaNews / Agencies) - "Sincere congratulations" to Liu Xiaobo for the2010 Nobel peace prize, were expressed by the Kashag (Cabinet) of the Tibetan government in exile. Samdhong Rinpoche, Kalon Tripa (Cabinet President) spoke to AsiaNews about the importance of this award to Liu's struggle for freedom, even with the signing of the document Charter 08 calling for more freedom and democracy in China. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) recalls the serious and systematic rights violations in Tibet.

"Our congratulations - says Samdhong Rinpoche - also go to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, for its courage." "The decision of India to send a representative to the December 10 Award tomorrow deserves appreciation, as do other countries that will be present at the ceremony, because they have rejected China’s ban [Beijing has criticized the award and in fact invited everyone to boycott it , about 15 countries have signaled that they will desert the ceremony]. Each country is sovereign and should act according to their conscience and sovereignty. "

"December 10 is the 62nd World Day for Human Rights. My comment is not very positive. It is most regrettably that we (international community) is not qualified to celebrated Human Rights Day, because in this world, No power, No organization has either the capacity or the will to protect Human Rights. This is very clearly evident from the fact, that one Nobel Peace Laureate is in prison, one Noble Peace Laureate in under house arrest and one Nobel Peace Laureate is exiled- this is not Human Rights".

"I'm not disillusioned or negative, but just realistic about the tragic human rights situation in the world today. Everyone compromises on human rights to protect their economic interests. It is frustrating to see that the economy and trade are the driving forces behind the relationships, agreements and support in the world order”.

"We acknowledge and appreciate the role of His Holiness the Pope for his consistently, courageous and reasonable defense of the Human Person. The Pope is one of the very, very rare authentic defenders and advocates of human rights in the world today. And we believe that His Holiness will continue to defend the human rights of the most marginalized, most outcaste and forgotten person in the last corner of the globe.  We firmly believe that the Holy Father’s spiritual leadership, influence and strength will continue to work for the promotion of human rights in the world. We pray for His Holiness the Pope. "

The TCHRD recalls, in a statement, the importance of the award to Liu Xiaobo, and how the Tibetan people and many millions of Chinese are demanding the application of human rights and freedom in China, calling on governments to think not about only economic development but also democratic reforms. The TCHRD recalls the many arrests of Tibetan monks and intellectuals that took place in 2010, imprisoned and convicted on unfounded charges, such as Sonam Tsering, Pema Yeshi Lama Lhaka, Soeda all sentenced to death with two years suspended sentence, and Geko Jamphel Wangchuk , Tsewang Rigzin and Dorjee Tashi from the Drepung Monastery sentenced to life imprisonment. This year the Chinese authorities have ordered the removal of Tibetan as the teaching language, replacing it with Mandarin Chinese, which in Tibetan areas is a foreign language for the majority. (NC)

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