New Delhi, 2 September 1960

Appeal by His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet to the United Nations (1960)

Swarg Ashram,
Dharamshala Cantt.
East Punjab, India

2 September 1960

His Excellency
Dag Hammarskjold,
Secretary General of the United Nations,
New York

Your Excellency:

Last year when I formally appealed to Your Excellency for the intervention of the United Nations on behalf of the people of Tibet, Your Excellency was kind enough to help my representatives with your inestimable advice and valuable support. I have, therefore, ventured to approach you once again in the name of the people of Tibet who are today groaning under an intolerable burden of terror and tyranny.

As Your Excellency is no doubt aware, the situation in Tibet has now become a grim tragedy. Hundreds of Tibetans have been arriving in India and Nepal to escape from merciless persecution and inhuman treatment. But there are thousands of others who find it impossible to seek asylum in the neighboring countries and are, therefore, threatened with immediate death and destruction, I feel most strongly that something must be done immediately to save the lives of these innocent men, women, and children, and have accordingly sought the assistance and support of the governments of many member States of the United Nations. His Excellency the Prime Minister of the Federation of Malaya, and the Government of Thailand have generously responded to my appeal and have declared their intention to raise the Tibetan question at the next session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

It is in this connection that I have ventured to approach Your Excellency once again. As on the last occasion, I trust Your Excellency will find it possible to use your good offices and influence in devising a practical solution to the tragic problem of Tibet. Your Excellency, I hope, will permit me to express my own feelings in the matter. I firmly believe that the only effective and speedy way in which the United Nations can help the unfortunate people of Tibet is by way of mediation, either through an ad hoc body appointed for the purpose by the General Assembly or through Your Excellency’s good offices. This is what I feel, and have also expressed this view to His Excellency Tunku Abdul Rahman and His Excellency Marshal Sarit Thanarat. This, however, is only a suggestion I am making for Your Excellency’s consideration, and I would be most grateful if Your Excellency could see your way to favor me with your personal advice.

With assurances of my highest esteem and consideration.

I remain,
The Dalai Lama