It seems ironic that a smiling old man in a red robe calling for peace and human rights could cause such a firestorm of controversy but the Dalai Lama— this time with the help of President Barack Obama— has done it again. The president’s recent meeting with the exiled Tibetan holy man stirred up the ire of the Chinese state causing it to warn the U.S. president that ties had been strained with the emerging superpower. Though many remain on the edges of their seats and call the meeting a mistake I am of the opposite opinion— instead Obama’s only mistake was not using the opportunity to take a more firm stance in favor of the rights of the Tibetan people.
Viewed by much of the world as a renowned spiritual leader and advocate for peace religious freedom and human rights in Tibet and around the world China perceives the Dalai Lama to be a dangerous separatist and a threat to its occupation of Tibet. He has made it clear that his intentions do not reach beyond religious freedom and autonomy within China but the state continues to refuse him re-entry into Tibet or to recognize him as the leader of the Tibetan people.
Though past presidents have met with the Dalai Lama in public and made clear their support of the rights of Tibetans it seems that China has recently tightened the reigns and declared any state meetings with the Dalai Lama an affront to China’s claim on Tibet. President Obama had previously declined to meet with the Dalai Lama last year perhaps because he did not want such a visit to interfere with relations to China on his trip to meet with its leader Hu Jintao.
Then on Feb. 18 Obama finally met with the holy man though not in quite the style with which past presidents had received him. The meeting with the Dalai Lama occurred not in public not in the Oval Office but in the Map Room. Off-camera and unofficial Obama kept the meeting as low-key as possible so as not to anger the Chinese government any more than necessary. Although the Dalai Lama has commented that he bears no ill feelings regarding his reception and understands the importance of harmonious Sino-U.S. relations the message Obama has sent seems to be clear— when pressured to choose between a better balance of trade and supporting human rights we much prefer the former.
Though the United States certainly has a lot to lose if it were to anger the Chinese state on account of support for the people of Tibet I believe we have much more to lose in ignoring our ideals and trading human rights and religious freedoms for better economic standing. Though we may feel more stable in the short term by improving our trade balance with China and feeling as if we have them on our side concerning sensitive world issues we should not accomplish this at the expense of the rights of those suffering under Chinese imperialism.
This is not a new mistake nor the first sacrifice in ideals China has asked us to make. Remember Darfur (which incidentally is still happening)? After the Rwandan genocide the entire world promised “never again” would such an atrocity occur. Then Darfur started and we did nothing. Part of the reason? Chinese interest in oil in the region. It needed Sudanese oil to support its rapid development and repeatedly vetoed any U.N. action to stop the genocide. The United States stood by so as not to anger the Chinese government allowing hundreds of thousands of people to be brutally murdered. Would Obama let something like this happen again in order to stay in good standing with the Chinese? Instead of sitting by as states abuse the sovereignty and human rights of others our nation should be one that stands on its ideals and calls for justice around the world. Obama should meet with the Dalai Lama— in public with video cameras— publicly declare his support for Tibetan autonomy within China (for which the Dalai Lama calls) and ask that China resume contact with the exiled leader so as to reach an agreement.
We will never be able to barter the rights of others for a harmonious world. Only in a world where we stand for the human rights of others can we hope to have ours protected. Only the strength of our ideals can bring about real peace.
