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South Africa: Cardinal Faults Dalai Lama Visa Denial Print E-mail
Written by CISA   
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
The Catholic archbishop of Durban, Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, has sharply criticized a decision by the government to block the entry of the Dalai Lama into the country to attend a peace conference this week.

South Africa denied the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism a visa to attend the conference reportedly due to pressure from China, one of the country's key trading partners. China is opposed to the independence of Tibet, which the Dalai Lama supports.

The government decision has caused an international outcry, with several Nobel laureates threatening to boycott the conference in Johannesburg, which has been organised to highlight the first World Cup to be held in Africa in 2010.

Media reports on Tuesday said the peace conference for Nobel laureates was called off by organisers to protest the Dalai Lama visa ban.

"Having hosted the Dalai Lama in Durban some years ago, I express my shock and regret at the denial of his visa. I am concerned that this man of peace is not allowed into our country at this time when we need people of peace to inspire us," Cardinal Napier said on Monday.

"I'm very concerned that our rights to association, freedom of religion and freedom of expression have been sold out to economic and political expedience once again."

Retired Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, described the decision to bar the Dalai Lama as "disgraceful".

A spokesperson for the Dalai Lama told AFP news agency he was "very disappointed" and accused South Africa of succumbing to "intense pressure" from China.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 24 March 2009 )