Statement by YABLOKO Bureau, 22.07.2016

For many years the residents of the three Russia’s regions, which are traditionally Buddhist (the Republics of Buryatia, Kalmikia, Tyva), as well as Buddhists from other regions, have been addressing the President of Russia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the RF unsuccessfully demanding a permission for a pastoral visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to Russia.

The 14th Dalai Lama is a spiritual leader of global impact, the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He is a recognized guide, who explains the fundamentals of Buddhism and performs ordaining, for the followers of Buddhism. His latest visit to Russia took place in 2004, when he was allowed to visit only the Republic of Kalmikia for one day. He visited the Republic of Tyva in 1992 and the Republic of Buryatia in 1991 for the last time.

Since it is impossible to invite the 14th Dalai Lama to Russia, Russia’s Buddhists have to go abroad to attend his teachings. Not everyone can afford such trips which require big financial expenses, especially in the conditions of a growing economic crisis and declining living standards. Therefore the vast majority of the Buddhists of Russia are actually deprived of the opportunity to receive blessing and personal guidance of their spiritual leader.

Hundreds of Buddhist khuruls, Lamaist temples, stupas and prayer houses were constructed in Buddhist regions during the years when Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied Dalai Lama’s entry visa. These Buddhist spiritual houses need consecration.

Every time Russian leadership postpones the consideration of the issue on [Dalai Lama’s] visit under various pretexts, and without them. In the past the main reason for visa denial was the fact that he combined both the spiritual functions of the Buddhists leader and political functions as the head of the Tibetan government in exile. However, in 2011, the 14th Dalai Lama officially resigned as head of the Central Tibetan Administration (in exile) and now operates only in the status of the spiritual leader of one of the world’s major religions.

Article 19 of the Russian Constitution guarantees equality of rights and freedoms of man and citizen, regardless of religion, prohibits any form of limitation of the rights of citizens on the grounds of religion.

Article 28 of the Russian Constitution runs that everyone shall be guaranteed the freedom of conscience, the freedom of religion, including the right to profess individually or together with other any religion or to profess no religion at all, to freely choose, possess and disseminate religious and other views and act according to them.

In accordance with Paragraph 2 Article 3 of the Federal Law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations” of September 26 1997, the right to freedom of religion may be restricted only in order to protect the constitutional order, morality, health, rights and legitimate interests of man and citizen, to ensure defense and national security. Part 3 Article 3 of the Act prohibits the establishment of privileges, restrictions or other forms of discrimination, depending on the attitude to religion.

The 14th Dalai Lama, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, who is preaching and practicing peace, nonviolence and benevolence, is not a threat to the foundations of the constitutional system of Russia, national defense and state security.

The YABLOKO party considers the denial of the pastoral visit of the Buddhist religious leader as an open violation of the rights and freedoms of the Russian population, who profess Buddhism.

We support the legitimate right of citizens and their demand to allow the pastoral visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to Russia.

Emilia Slabunova,

YABLOKO Chairperson