The United States congratulates the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday and supports Tibetans’ freedom to choose their religious leaders
On the eve of the 90th birthday of the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement today to congratulate him and said that the Dalai Lama continues to inspire people with messages of unity and peace; the United States is firmly committed to promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Tibet, and supports the right of Tibetans to freely choose their religious leaders without interference.
The Dalai Lama is a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Since he went into exile in 1959, he has been based in northern India. He will celebrate his 90th birthday on the 6th.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement today to express congratulations to the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday on behalf of the United States. He said that the Dalai Lama continues to inspire people with messages of unity, peace and compassion.
Rubio also said that the United States is firmly committed to promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Tibet. “We support all efforts to protect the unique language, culture and religious traditions of Tibetans, including their right to freely choose and respect their religious leaders without interference.”
The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule and has lived in Dharamshala, India ever since.
The Dalai Lama said days ago that he would be reincarnated after his death, in an attempt to calm speculation about his succession, according to foreign news reports. China views the Dalai Lama as a separatist and insists that his successor must be approved by Chinese leaders as a legacy of the imperial era.
The Dalai Lama has said he will be reincarnated in the “free world.” He told followers earlier this week that the only organization with the authority to identify the future reincarnation is his nonprofit organization, the Gaden Phodrang Foundation.
