The news that is reaching us from the far away lands of Tibet is of deep concern for the world community. The manner in which a peaceful protest that was organised by Tibetan monks was dispersed by Chinese military and police, has caused resentment all over the democratic world.

Once again, we are witnessing the suppression of democracy and human rights. These riots and protests evoke echoes of mid-80s totalitarian practices from the communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe.

The restriction of various human rights and the censorship implicated on media organisations are a proof of the critical situation that the Chinese authorities are imposing on Tibetans.

These upraises follow the ones in Burma which were also controlled in a harsh manner by the Burmese military. The Burmese junta, which has close relations with the Chinese Government, controlled the protesters quite violently with the results accounting to a number of deaths and injuries. Similarly, to what we are witnessing in Tibet, journalists were censored and repeatedly warned not to report on protests.

The world community cannot allow the situation in Tibet to escalate further. Merely urging the Chinese government to exercise the "utmost restraint" in dealing with the Tibetan people has on more than one occasion proven to be an ineffective method.

Former President of the Czech Republic Mr Vaclav Havel and Mr Karel Schwarzenberg who is Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic wrote about the subject. I quote from their joint article published on a local English language newspaper.

‘The international community, beginning with the UN and followed by the EU, Asean, and other international organisations, as well as individual countries, should use every means possible to step up pressure on the Chinese government to allow foreign media, as well as international fact-finding missions, into Tibet and adjoining provinces in order to enable objective investigations of what has been happening; release all those who only peacefully exercised their internationally guaranteed human rights, and guarantee that no one is subjected to torture and unfair trials; enter into a meaningful dialogue with the representatives of the Tibetan people.’

Both Mr Havel and Mr Schwarzenberg, coming from a former totalitarian Central European state know well what it means to be sealed off from the rest of the world. The role of journalists in such situations is very important since they pass on the message of the oppressed.

European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering has called on EU leaders to boycott the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing if China does not soften its handling of the current protests in Tibet.

'If there continue to be no signals of compromise, I consider boycott measures to be justified,' Pöttering told the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag in an interview on 23 March. He continued, 'We should not exclude the possibility of a boycott of the Beijing Olympics. We want a successful Games, but not at the price of the cultural genocide of the Tibetans.'

The world cannot remain silent facing these situations. In the global village that we are living in today, such situations demand action so that respect for democracy and human rights are instilled.

In a declaration issued on the 19th March, the European Presidency condemns the violence and called for peaceful reconciliation between Chinese authorities and the Dalai Lama and his representatives.

‘The EU calls for restraint on all sides. We urge the Chinese authorities to refrain from using force against those involved in unrest and call on demonstrators to desist from violence’ the Presidency declared. It continues, ‘The EU stresses the importance it attaches to the right of freedom of expression and peaceful protest. We call on Chinese authorities to respond to the demonstrations in accordance with internationally recognised democratic principles.’

One of the measures worth considering showing the disapproval of China’s actions in this situation is boycott of the Beijing Olympics in the coming Summer. This is an occasion, even for small countries like us to make our voice heard in world issues. We cannot remain unfazed facing this human and democratic tragedy.

Once John F. Kennedy said, ‘For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.’ This is what happens when media is censored.

Everybody has the right to know the truth and that truth must be unveiled on all occasions. The democratic instability in the various regions around the globe must be tackled so that we can seriously move on a face the demanding challenges that as world citizens must face. After all, all we are saying is give peace a chance!

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