The Tibetan community in the Netherlands has sent a letter to the Dutch Foreign Ministry calling for a new report investigating the influence and interference of the People’s Republic of China in the Netherlands.
In the letter, the Tibetan community voices its concerns about the latest report by Professor Frank Pieke, “Influence and interference of the People’s Republic of China among the Chinese population in the Netherlands.” The report was commissioned by the Dutch Ministries of Justice and Security, Foreign Affairs and Defence, after two illegal Chinese police stations were discovered in the Netherlands.
Specifically, the Tibetan community criticizes the research design’s lack of differentiation and cultural sensitivity in merging Tibetans into the ‘Chinese population’ without regard to their distinct culture and specific risk of being targeted by Chinese intimidation practices. Moreover, the validity of the research is questionable, as it claims Tibetans and Uyghurs in the Netherlands amount to 1,252 individuals, while the Tibetan community states that approximately 1,000 Tibetans and 3,000 to 4,000 Uyghurs are living in the Netherlands. Accordingly, no valid conclusions can be drawn from the report, and new research is needed urgently.
“We are not Chinese! Professor Pieke’s failure to account for at least 2,000 Tibetans and Uyghurs in the statistics is deeply concerning. It is a scandal that the report lacks accurate numbers regarding the Tibetan and Uyghur peoples residing in the Netherlands,” said Dawa Tsering, the president of the Tibetan Community. “When a report cannot even present basic facts correctly, it raises serious doubts about its reliability and trustworthiness.“
The International Campaign for Tibet supports the Tibetan community in its call on the Dutch government to rectify the criticized China report.
“Professor Pieke’s findings and recommendations are misguided, pointing us in the wrong direction. We require new and more knowledgeable experts on China, as well as more reliable reports that can serve as a solid foundation for informed public discourse and effective government policies,” said Wangpo Tethong, Executive Director of the Nederlandse Stichting International Campaign for Tibet.
The letter by the Tibetan community follows a critical review of the Frank Pieke report that the
International Campaign for Tibet sent earlier this month, on the invitation of the ministry.
CONTACTS:
Dawa Tsering, Tibetan Community, +31 6 87 45 55 74
Laila Tara, International Campaign for Tibet, +31 6 47 38 35 60