3rd WPCT, 23-24 April, 1997, Washington, D.C.
- renewed assault on the religious freedom and cultural heritage of the Tibetan people;
- increased torture, imprisonment and death of those asserting their Tibetan identity and political aspirations;
- marginalization of the Tibetan language through measures such as the closing down of Tibetan language middle schools and impositions of Chinese language in higher institutions of learning, including the Tibetan University in Lhasa;
- attacks on monasteries and nunneries in the name of political re-education which have resulted in the expulsion, imprisonment and death of many;
- continuing transfer of Chinese citizens to Tibet and the forced abortion and sterilization with the purpose of reducing the Tibetans into an insignificant minority in their own country as the key component of China's "final solution" to the question of Tibet; and
- interference in the religious process for the recognition of the Panchen Lama and the detention of eight year old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, recognized according to Tibetan tradition and belief as the 11th Panchen Lama, at a secret location.
The Convention deplores these attacks on the life, religion and culture of the Tibetan people and demands that they be stopped forthwith. It further demands the immediate release of the 11th Panchen Lama from capativity.
The convention reaffirms the resolution adopted at the first and second World Parliamentarians Convention (in New Delhi, March 18-20, 1994 and Vilnius, May 26-28, 1995), including the explicit recognition of Tibet's historical independence and the inalienable right of the Tibetan people to self-determination.
The Convention emphasizes its recognition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his government as the sole legitimate representatives of Tibet and the Tibetan people.
The Convention is convinced that a lasting solution to the question of Tibet can only be achieved though earnest negotiations between the People's Republic of China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, without preconditions.
The Convention applauds the statesmanship of the Dalai Lama and his efforts to initiate dialogue and negotiations with China in order to find peaceful solution to the conflict.
The Dalai Lama has repeatedly stated that despite the historical reality of Tibet's sovereignty he is prepared to hold negotiations on genuine self-government for Tibet and the demilitarisation and transformation to Tibet into a zone of Ahimsa (non-violence), without raising the independence.
The Dalai Lama formally and publicly reiterated his position, as stated in the previous paragraph, at the Convention on 23 April 1997.
Therefore, the Convention believes that the stand publicly taken by the government of the PRC that the Dalai Lama's stand on independence is the obstacle to negotiations in unfounded.
Consequently, the Convention once again calls upon all governments to use their influence at all possible levels, including in the United Nations, to persuade the government of the People's Republic of China to accept the Dalai Lama's fair and reasonable offer to open negotiations with its leaders. In this context, the Convention records its appreciation of the message sent by President Clinton to the Parliamentarians Convention.
The Convention requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations to appoint a special representative to contact all relevant parities in order to seek ways to facilitate the initiation of negotiations between the government of the People's Republic of China and the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.
The Convention calls also on corporations, non-governmental organizations and individuals doing business or working in Tibet or China to use their influence to support efforts to reach a peaceful solution through negotiations. It also calls on all government and non-governmental organisations supporting projects in Tibet to do so only in accordance with the guidelines prepared by the Tibetan Government-in-Exile in order to ensure that it is the Tibetan people in Tibet who will benefit from such projects.
The Convention commends the United States Congress, the European Parliament and a number of governments for providing financial support for Tibetan refugees and their social and economic development. It recommends that other parliaments and governments also consider providing financial support.
The Convention salutes the Tibetan people who have, in face of grave adversities and suffering, consistently maintained their non-violent policy in efforts to protect their fundamental rights and regain their freedom. Successful negotiations are the only way to prevent the escalation of tensions.
The participants at this III World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet and the thousands of likeminded parliamentarians in at least fifty countries assure His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people everywhere of their continued support. To this end, the Convention has adopted the III World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet Action Plan.
Washington, D.C., April 24, 1997
