Richard Gere Urges German To Press China On Tibet

BERLIN (February 12, 2007) — Richard Gere on Monday urged Germany, which holds the European Union and G-8 presidencies, to press China about its human rights record and Tibet.

Gere, a longtime advocate of the Tibetan cause, argued at a news conference that the twin presidency marks “a historic moment for Germany to step forward.”

“This is a moment of great possibility for … not just punishing but encouraging China to become part of the modern world,” he said. “Tibet should be ever-present in any discussion with China.”

China has exercised an often harsh, intrusive rule over Tibet since communist troops marched into the region in 1950.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has publicly raised the broader issue of human rights with Chinese leaders, saying during a visit to Beijing last May that they are “an important issue of bilateral dialogue.”

Gere, 57, was in the German capital for the annual Cinema for Peace gala. It gathers celebrities to raise money for humanitarian organizations such as the U.N. Children’s Fund.

Also attending was rocker and anti-poverty campaigner Bob Geldof, who echoed Gere’s call for action on China.

“It is probably the job of Germany this year, the privilege of Germany this year to embrace China into the international norms that are expected of behavior,” Geldof said.