The Dalai Lama has again been refused entry into South Africa where he was going to attend the 14th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, his South African representative said. Concern about angering China has been cited for a visa refusal in the past.
Nangsa Choedon, the representative, said officials from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation called her to say the Tibetan spiritual leader’s visa was denied, the Cape Times newspaper reported Thursday.
“For now the Dalai Lama has decided to cancel his trip to South Africa,” Choedon was quoted as saying.
South Africa’s international relations department said later Thursday it had received written confirmation from the office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama in India indicating he has cancelled his planned visit to South Africa.
South Africa’s High Commission in New Delhi was still processing the visa application “in line with due process,” it said. But “following the cancellation of the planned visit by the office of His Holiness, the Department now considers the matter to be closed.”
Tashi Phuntsok, the spokesman for the Tibetan government-in-exile, said “if the news reports are correct, it is unfortunate that the South African government did not extend the same courtesy to the respected religious leader, the Dalai Lama, as it did to the other Nobel laureates.”
The annual summit is being held in Cape Town next month and is meant to commemorate the life of Mandela.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation on Thursday said it took note of South Africa’s statement about processing the visa.
“We look forward to being in attendance at the 14th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Cape Town together with His Holiness and other laureates,” the foundation said.
