For Urgen Tenzin, the United States and Western powers have a "moral obligation" towards democracy and human rights. He is disappointed by the US president’s visit to Asia. Too concerned about the economic crisis, the US leader did not defend democratic values.

Dharamsala (AsiaNews) -- The world’s economic crisis and a desire to "appease" the Chinese government are the reasons why US President Barack Obama “did not speak about the Tibetan issue" and human rights, Urgen Tenzin, executive director of the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD)), told AsiaNews as he spoke about Obama’s trip to Asia. For him, the international community has a "moral obligation" to defend the rights of all peoples, including Tibetans and Chinese.

"It is unfortunate that president Barack Obama did not mention the Tibetan question," the TCHRD chief said. He is not alone: "most world leaders are also trying to appease the Chinese." The power of China is such that Western governments have been forced into silence.

The US president uttered but a few timid words in favour of dialogue between Beijing and the Dalai
Lama, pledging US support for rapprochement between the two sides.