Wu Heping, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Public Security stated that "key suspects" in a terrorism ring had been arrested and had confessed they received their directions from an official within the "Dalai clique" - the name China has assigned to the so called terrorist cell.
Last month it was the Uighur people were branded terrorists. China alleged that a young Uighur woman aboard a flight leaving Urumqi, the capital of the area China calls the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) was caught in an attempt to light flammables on the passenger plane. Like the Tibetan terror allegations, China has produced no evidence whatsoever to support the claims. In fact the plane incident was completely unreported for two days. Like the Tibetans, the Uighur people have never been known for the use of suicide attacks. Both groups are severely repressed and discriminated against by the Chinese Government.
The Dalai Lama is known throughout the world for promoting non-violence and supporting freedom of expression.
Terrorism should be condemned and States have a right to protect their citizens. However, fair trials, recognisable charges and humane treatment must take place. Firstly, China must provide the world and its own population with accurate information, evidence and should allow independent access to the foriegn media.
The denied freedom of expression and complete lack of transparency within China is being highlighted in these examples and the use of such inflammatory language by Chinese authorities. Trends like these are worsening, not improving as Amnesty International's latest report has found. BBC reports on the findings that human rights abuses in China have worsened not improved in the lead up to the Games.
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