Madam Deputy Speaker, today is the first day of international parliamentary action in support of Tibet, which will culminate on 20 June, Parliamentary Solidarity Day for Tibet. We are proud that this process begins here in Cape Town today.
The Chinese government has all but declared war on the peace-loving monks of Tibet. Armed only with their prayer beads and Holy Scriptures, these monks face off against the daily wrath of heavily armed Chinese security forces. Monks are often brutally beaten and regularly detained without cause by Chinese security forces. The human rights abuses perpetrated by China are on a scale so large that it should shock the conscience of all mankind.
The IFP is not as weak and meek as this current government, and we say an emphatic "No!" to human rights abuses in Chinese-occupied Tibet. We say to China, "Stop this horror story. Reclaim your humanity. Leave Tibet, and leave it now!" I thank you.