Chairman, we all remember the name of Jan Palach, the young man who, 42 years ago, burned himself alive in the streets of Prague to decry the occupation by Soviet troops. We must remember today Palden Choetso, a young nun who, two days ago, burned herself alive to decry the occupation of Tibet and to bring to the attention of the world the need to exert pressure on China regarding the freedom of Tibet.
I think it is important for us to reflect on this incredible gesture of self-immolation. This is not the first time, but the eleventh act of its kind which has occurred, and the second one involving a nun. It is important that our government becomes the champion of human rights which its people want it to be, not only in respect of human rights violations in China, but anywhere else in the world. The other week, the chairman of the Justice committee, the hon Landers, very courageously made a strong statement of condemnation of renditions in which the United States government is allegedly involved.
We need to change our attitude towards foreign policy to make the pursuance of a human rights agenda part and parcel of our foreign policy, whether it is in South Africa, whether it is in Africa, whether it is in our relationship with China, whether it is in our relationship with the United States or with any other country in the world. This begins with recognising when wrong has been done and bringing to the attention of this Parliament and of the country exemplary acts in the fight for freedom, such as the self-immolation by Palden Choetso. Thank you. [Time expired.]