According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, Taiwan authorities have reportedly asked close allies of Dalai Lama and the US based Uigyur activists to not attend a forum about the religious freedom in Taipei.
It is allegedly reported that US based representatives of Taiwan government have urge the Tibetan leader Dr. Lobsang Sangay and Uigyur master activist Rebiya Kadeer not to apply for Taiwan visa in December according a sponsor of the event, Bob Fu.
This step from Taiwan authorities comes a measure to avoid any problem with the Mainland China as they have been under scrutiny of Beijing following a historic election victory for the pro-democratic party, PDP.
Bob Fu is founder of China Aid which is a US non profit organization that is co-sponsoring the event.
“To talk about China’s religious freedom situation, if you don’t mention the Tibetan and Uighur minorities, a discussion of religious freedoms is incomplete,” Bob Fu said from the forum, which started on Thursday with 99 participants from 26 countries in Taipei.
“The whole application process feels political.” he added.
This kind of reaction has not come as a surprise for Tibetans though the Tibetans have been a part of celebration of the historic elction in Taiwan last month.
“Taiwan is in a tough spot because of pressure from China, that’s the reason,” said Bari Dawa Tsering, director of the Religious Foundation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
“Of course we hoped Sangay could do this. But Taiwan is small and right next to China, so their stance is not to add any new trouble,” he added.
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