Faced with the recent events in Tibet, the Humanist Regionals and all humanists of Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa and North America condemn the bloody violence and repression by the regime of the People’s Republic of China against the demonstrators in Lhasa and in many other Tibetan cities. 

These events are comparable to the violent repression of the Burmese government against the Buddhist Monks and an unarmed population, with killings, arbitrary detentions and a blackout of all forms of internal and international communication. 

At the same time, we denounce US policy, and the arms dealers close to President Bush for promoting secessionism and destabilization between peoples worldwide to benefit special interests. Such is the case in Kosovo and Serbia, and Palestine and Israel; where deeply rooted sentiments of national identity are exploited, or Bolivia with the inciting of economic divisions. 

In this difficult moment, the voices of politicians interested in division and confrontation will not be the ones to open the future. It is of fundamental importance to defend the historical roots of all peoples, to recognize the right to practice one’s own beliefs, religious, and cultural customs.  But above all, to give a new solution, forging a different and valid path as an example for all humanity. 

The secession of a nation or a region can have meaning if the norms, actions, and intentions do not go towards isolation or regression back to "old ways." But rather, it must go towards the humanization of the relations between peoples, the real recognition of diversity, and a true integration of cultures, nations and regions who wish to represent the vanguard in the formation of a Universal Human Nation. 

A truly new process can only be initiated through the path of nonviolence. This is possible if a culture is projected towards the future, when the look of the human being is free from racial discrimination, of equal opportunities between men and women, without castes or social classes – a look that is capable of putting a long-term process ahead of immediate political interests. 

As humanists we ask governments and leaders of opposing factions to sit down and listen to the different needs and proposals and to go beyond their centralist and nationalist visions, advancing towards a different solution through a “humanist” vision. We need new ways to interpret and comprehend the complexity of current social phenomena; we need the patience of history to open this dialogue that is so important and so urgent for all of humanity.  To this effect, we as humanists, through our Regional Spokespeople or as an international delegation from different regions (Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia), offer to assist by acting as cultural mediators between the Chinese government and the Tibetan leaders. 

Without this dialogue and constructive perspective, the same international relationships between China, USA, Russia, and Europe with their negligible interests could produce an irreversible clash.This is not about the Olympics. At stake here is the possibility of giving a coherent response for all of humanity.  We stand here humbly and with hope, together with all those who are building a new non-violent humanity.  

Giorgio Schultze
Spokesperson for New Humanism in Europe  

Tomás Hirsch
Spokesperson for New Humanism in Latin America 

Sudhir Gandotra
Spokesperson for New Humanism in Asia-Pacific 

Chris Wells
Spokesperson for New Humanism in North America