Representatives of 10 Tibetan associations have demanded a transparent investigation into the source of the coronavirus in a meeting with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) officials in Indian capital city, New Delhi.
The Tibetan representatives demanded that China should make a public announcement that the scientists are studying the virus to comply with a WHO resolution to identify the zoonotic source of the virus and not so, at the invitation of the Chinese government.
Dolma Gyari, former Deputy Speaker and former Home Minister of Tibetan Parliament in-exile, said: “It becomes bothersome when claims are made implying that the WHO scientists, who are present in China to identify the zoonotic source of the virus and the route of its introduction to the human population, are there on an invitation of China.
“Therefore, while upholding the credibility of the WHO scientists, in the larger interests of all, we believe that under the present circumstances, they should come back,” said Gyari.
The memorandum urged the WHO to ensure that a complete and transparent understanding of the source of the virus, timeline of the events, and a comprehensive review of the WHO’s response be made public after the report of the panel is submitted.
Sonam, President, Regional Utsang Tibetan Association of Delhi said, “We have requested the UN to ensure a fair investigation of the arbitrary arrests, detentions and penalization of 20 Tibetans. They have been prosecuted under a guise of a pandemic counteraction taken by China. The arrests continue to cause grave mental and social torture”.
He also said that China must open its doors to all areas of the Tibetan Autonomous Region to the members of the WHO team so that they can access the real ground situation.
Advertisement
Author
