Debates of the Senate (Hansard)

1st Session, 39th Parliament,
Volume 143, Issue 75

Tuesday, February 27, 2007
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker

The Senate

Motion to Urge Continued Dialogue Between People’s Republic of China and the Dalai Lama—Debate Continued

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Di Nino, seconded by the Honourable Senator Andreychuk:

That the Senate urge the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Dalai Lama, notwithstanding their differences on Tibet’s historical relationship with China, to continue their dialogue in a forward-looking manner that will lead to pragmatic solutions that respect the Chinese constitutional framework, the territorial integrity of China and fulfill the aspirations of the Tibetan people for a unified and genuinely autonomous Tibet.—(Honourable Senator Jaffer)

Hon. Mobina S.B. Jaffer: Honourable senators, I stand today in support of this motion of Senator Di Nino, and I adopt everything that he has said on it. I wish to add only one thing.

In the last few years, I had the great privilege and honour of meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I urge honourable senators to pass this motion, because I fear, as I am sure you do, that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has not many years to live. I fear that if we do not support the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to his homeland, we will lose the benefit of his experience and wisdom. He is not asking for a separate state. He is asking only that his people be allowed to practise their religious faith and their culture.

Honourable senators, I urge you to pass this motion.