[lg policy] Tibetan Children Appeal To European Parliament Over China Language Policy

[Harold Schiffman]

Tibetan Children Appeal To European Parliament Over China Language Policy
2010-10-28 03:15127


About 40 children of Tibetan descent delivered a petition to the
European Parliament on Wednesday, protesting against Chinese
government plans to extend the use of Mandarin in schools.   Calling
for freedom of language to be respected, the children presented a
letter listing signatures of Tibetan children living in Europe. One
Tibetan boy read the letter aloud in English, calling on European
lawmakers to preserve Tibet's cultural heritage.


“Please speak for us, for the voiceless. Don't let Tibet die!

European Parliament Vice President Roberta Angelilli says language is
a critical part of a child's education.


"It's a fundamental right. It's a question of democracy. A question of
human rights. So the European Parliament must guarantee this
opportunity.”

Authorities in China say Tibetans should become fluent in Chinese to
benefit from wider education and job opportunities.

But critics say the policy threatens Tibetan culture, and will leave
students fluent in neither Tibetan nor Mandarin.

"It is very important for us to keep preserving our language for the
next generations to come. So I think that the Chinese government what
they are trying to do is totally delete everything which is related to
our own tradition.”

The children closed the gathering by singing the Tibetan national
hymn.

According to the London-based campaign group "Free Tibet," student
protests have taken place in Tibet and western China.

http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_asia/2010-10-28/733718710203.html

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