The Dalai Lama: China has turned Tibet into “Hell”

From the NY Times yesterday –

Dalai Lama Says China Has Turned Tibet Into a ‘Hell on Earth’ – NYTimes.com

BEIJING — The Dalai Lama delivered one of his harshest attacks on the Chinese government in recent times on Tuesday, saying that the Chinese Communist Party had transformed Tibet into a “hell on earth” and that the Chinese authorities regarded Tibetans as “criminals deserving to be put to death.”

“Today, the religion, culture, language and identity, which successive generations of Tibetans have considered more precious than their lives, are nearing extinction,” said the Dalai Lama, 73, the spiritual leader of Tibetans.