Hon Speaker, on Wednesday, 31 August 2011, His Holiness the Dalai Lama sent an application to the South African Department of Home Affairs for a visa. His application has been referred to the Department of International Relations and Co-operation for advice on diplomatic implications. This suggests that, as in 2009, relations with China will first be considered. South Africa cannot continue to make diplomatic decisions out of fear.
Our international relations policy needs to be focused on human rights. While this department has communicated that this visa application will be treated like any other, the DA calls upon the Department of International Relations and Co-operation to consider this visa without the influence of the decision possibly upsetting relations with China.
In 2009, the Dalai Lama's visa application to attend a World Peace Conference was declined amid fears that relations with China would be jeopardised as a result of that. The DA supports the application by the Dalai Lama to attend Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu's 80th birthday in October. We cannot allow our country to be held to ransom by other states. As a sovereign state, we need to make decisions based on human rights. I thank you. [Applause.]