The Government of the People's Republic of China is practicing a form of genocide by relocating millions of Chinese settlers into Tibet. I ask that this massive population transfer be stopped. Unless the cruel and inhuman treatment of my people is brought to an end and until they are given their due right to self-determination, there will always be obstacles in finding a solution to the Tibetan issue. I accept the Nobel Peace Prize in a spirit of optimism despite the many grave problems which humanity faces today. As this dramatic century draws to a close, it is clear that the renewed yearning for freeedom and democracy sweeping the globe provides an unprecedented opportunity for building a better world.
Freedom is the real source of human happiness and creativity.
Only when it is allowed to flourish can a genuinely stable international climate exist. The suppression of the rights and freedoms of any people by totalitarian governments is against human nature and the recent movement for democracy in various parts of the world is a clear indication of this. The Chinese students have given me great hope for the future of China and Tibet. I feel that their movement follows the tradition of Mahatma Ghandi's ahimsa or non-violence which has deeply inspired me since I was a small boy. The eventual success of all people seeking a more tolerant atmosphere must derive from a commitment to counter hatred and violence with patience.