The International Campaign for Tibet strongly condemns the petrol-bomb attack on the Office of Tibet in Pretoria, South Africa. This violent assault, which targeted both the Office of Tibet’s workplace and residence, represents a dangerous escalation following a previous attempt on the property. These assaults are clearly intended to terrorize the Tibetan community. While no one was injured, there was extensive damage to the property as the building engulfed in flames.
The Office of Tibet was opened in 1997 under the approval of the then South African President Nelson Mandela. Its primary objective is to promote an understanding between Tibetans and the peoples of South Africa through cultural, educational and religious exchanges.
This attack is a direct assault on the fundamental freedoms provided to the Office of Tibet and its staff under South Africa’s own Constitution, which protects the rights of all people in South Africa, including non-nationals. ICT supports the public call made by Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation that the South African Police Service should launch an immediate, comprehensive, and transparent investigation into both this and the prior incident to bring the perpetrators to justice, and determine whether there was any involvement from a third country.
The people of South Africa suffered greatly under Apartheid. As reflected by statesmen like Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Ela Gandhi through their friendship with the Dalai Lama, the South African people thus have natural appreciation for the plight of the Tibetan people. Therefore, we urge the South African government to be proactive on this tragic and alarming attack as its silence in the face of intimidation risks sending a dangerous message that undermines the nation’s constitution and potentially its sovereignty. We urge Pretoria to ensure that South Africa remains a safe, welcoming home for every one of its residents.