SEPTEMBER 15TH 2014 PRESS RELEASE DALAI LAMA: 14 NOBEL PEACE LAUREATES WRITE STRONGLY WORDED LETTER TO PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA URGING HIM TO GUARANTEE HIS HOLINESS A VISA TO ENTER SOUTH AFRICA
The following is text from a letter sent from the undersigned 14 Nobel Peace Laureates urging the President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma, to unconditionally guarantee a visa to His Holiness, the Dalai Lama to participate in the 14th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Cape Town from 13 – 15 October 2014.
This letter comes in light of the recent news this week that His Holiness has been refused a visa to enter South Africa for the historic summit, which is being held in Africa for the first time. On Thursday the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa announced that the Tibetan spiritual leader had cancelled his planned trip to South Africa and that it had not denied him access to the country.
The Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in India and is at loggerheads with China over Tibet, had been hoping to join the Nobel Peace Laureates conference in Cape Town next month but withdrew his visa application after being told it would be unsuccessful.
The following text is included in the letter from His Holiness’ fellow Nobel Peace Laureates.
“We understand the sensitivities involved – but would like to point out that His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, no longer holds any political office and would participate in the Summit solely in his capacity as a globally respected spiritual leader. We are deeply concerned about the damage that will be done to South Africa’s international image by a refusal – or failure – to grant him a visa yet again.
We believe that the 14th World Summit, which is dedicated to the memory of former President – and Nobel Peace Laureate – Nelson Mandela, will provide South Africa with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of its non- racial constitutional democracy. It will enable your country to share with the world the
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