South Africa and the Dalai Lama

by Margie on Mar 23rd, 2009

The South African government has refused the Dalai Lama a visa to attend a peace conference hosted by South AFrica’s Nobel Prize laureates and others. This supine and venal move is so shameful. For some more cheap goods the last vestiges of our credit as a moral country are squandered. Apparently this move was to keep the eyes firmly on the 2010 FIFA prize and not on Tibet. Instead we will have our status as Most Slippery Nation on Human Rights Issues branded into the consciousness of the world. I can only hope that the fickle powers that be decide reconsider.

Cats: South Africa
Tags: Dalai Lama, Margie Orford, South Africa

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Recent comments:

Louis Greenberg
March 23rd, 2009 @20:04 #

I agree in full disgust, Margie - hence my comment on another post: http://book.co.za/bookchat/topic.php?id=4842&replies=4#post-15383

It's filthy.
Fiona
March 23rd, 2009 @20:28 #

Disgusting, disheartening, depressing. Like Margie, I can only hope the public outcry will force them to reconsider.
Helen
March 23rd, 2009 @21:28 #

I keep pinching myself and hoping I'll wake up -- it's a bad dream, as we rapidly become the polecat of the world all over again. It seems our Constitutional values can be set merrily tossed aside if the price is right.
Sally
March 24th, 2009 @08:29 #

I think its deplorable. Compromising the integrity of an entire country in exchange for sponsorship of one event. I agree with Louis thats its filthy.
Tom
March 24th, 2009 @09:32 #

'The South African government has defended its decision to ban Tibet's Dalai Lama from entering the country and has denied that it is slavishly obeying China. According to a spokesman, the government has made only minor concessions to Beijing, such as promising to give the Chinese Premier erotic massages on demand and calling him "baas".' - Hayibo.com
Ben - Editor
March 24th, 2009 @09:54 #

Those wishing to protest via petition can go here -

http://mypetition.co.za

- and enter the number 00323 to call up a protest document.
Helen
March 24th, 2009 @10:37 #

Thanks, Ben-editor. And once you've signed, send the link to everyone you know.
David
March 24th, 2009 @11:26 #

Direct link: http://mypetition.co.za/index.php?page=sign_petition&petition_id=323
David
March 24th, 2009 @11:27 #

oh dear.

http://mypetition.co.za/index.php?page=sign_petition&petition_id=323">direct clickable link
Rustum Kozain
March 24th, 2009 @12:10 #

Apparently he's not the real Dalai Lama; perhaps Customs and Immigration are getting their ship in shape...
Gugrajah
March 24th, 2009 @12:22 #

What is the argument for having the Dalai lama in our country?

//It seems our Constitutional values can be set merrily tossed aside if the price is right.//

but the Constitution itself is a shady document.

PS. I haven't followed the story of the prince-of-peace very well.
Sally
March 24th, 2009 @12:55 #

Why cant we have the Dali Lama? We welcome everyone else? The world's dictators to say the least.