h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

9 May 2007

Belgium refuses entry to the Dalai Lama

[London] Belgium has prevented the Dalai Lama from applying for a
visa following massive pressure from the Chinese Government. The
Dalai Lama was due to appear in Brussels before 300 delegates from
around the world at the 5th International Conference of Tibet Support
Groups from 11 to 14 May 2007.

It is reported that Belgium's decision has come prior to Prince
Philip's upcoming trade meetings with Chinese counterparts.

"It is shameful that the Belgian government, a state member of the EU
and a country with a long democratic tradition is willing to
sacrifice its own values and take orders from a repressive regime. It
is a worrying sign that democratic governments who are meant to
protect human rights, freedom and justice, easily trade these values
for economic interests," said Yael Weisz-Rind, Director of Free Tibet Campaign.

Free Tibet Campaign urges the Foreign Ministry in Brussels to
publicly apologise and to immediately rectify their decision.

It's time to take action , folks, and phone a protest to the Belgian Embassy nearest to you.

This low, even by Belgian standards. And now China has got away with it with Belgium they'll probably begin pressing every other EU country to deny entry to this man of peace.

Disgusted,
Matholwch .

What is so pathetic is that EU member states invariably refuse to take individual stances without consulting all the other members. As you so rightly observe, this could be a very sad precedent for multilateral cowardice.

Sick, sick and very sick. This is how saints are made: by willing villains.

If I was the Dalai Llama I'd go to Belgium anyway even without a visa. That would show them.

What are they going to do to DL if he goes there - put him in jail?

No way, Jose´!