Former US speaker urges China for dialogue on Tibet

India Gazette (IANS) Thursday 9th February, 2012

Former US speaker Nancy Pelosi has said there is a need for the Chinese government to change its repressive policies regarding Tibet, a statement said Thursday.

'In recent weeks, the Chinese government has intensified its crackdown; there have been reports of indiscriminate shootings by Chinese police forces resulting in the loss of life and injuries,' Pelosi said in a statement posted on the website of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) based here.

'Further, the disturbing trend of self-immolations by Tibetans reflect the desperation of the human rights situation and the need for the Chinese government to change its repressive policies against the Tibetan people.

'It's long past time for the Chinese government to enter into a meaningful dialogue with representatives of the Tibetan government-in-exile to produce a way forward that promotes peace and stability in China and Tibet,' Pelosi added.

The CTA has said that 16 Tibetans had set themselves afire in the past 12 months to protest China's policies and to demand freedom. It said three more self-immolations occurred Friday.

India is home to around 100,000 Tibetans and the Tibetan government-in-exile, which has never won recognition from any country.