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| Tibetan monks © AFP/File Teh Eng Koon |
WASHINGTON (AFP) – The United States Monday called on China to respect the rights of Tibetans, saying it was seriously concerned about a series of self-immolations by Buddhist monks.
“We urge China and its leaders to respect the rights of Tibetans, to address some of the policies in these Tibetan areas that have created tension and to protect the Tibetans’ unique religious culture and linguistic identity,” State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.
Toner said the United States was “seriously concerned” about the self-immolations, a string of nine by Buddhists since March that have set off protests and a government crackdown.
The latest was a 20-year-old Buddhist nun, who set herself on fire in southwest China on Monday, calling for religious freedom.
President Barack Obama defied China in July by receiving the exiled Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama, at the White House, and expressing his “strong support” for the preservation of Tibet’s unique religious, cultural and linguistic traditions.
© AFP — Published at Activist Post with license
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