The Dalai Lama said there are “too many” refugees in Europe, in an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
“When we look into the face of every single refugee, especially the children and women, we can feel their suffering,” he said, according to the German translation provided by AFP.
“A human being who is a bit more fortunate has the duty to help them. On the other hand, there are too many now. ”
Last year, Germany took in 1.1 million refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries affected by conflict.
“Europe, for example Germany, cannot become an Arab country,” said the Dalai Lama. “Germany is Germany.”
“There are so many that in practice it becomes difficult.”
He added that the refugees should only be “admitted temporarily,” and that they should eventually “return and help rebuild their countries.”
The Dalai Lama has been living in exile himself for nearly 60 years, leaving Tibet for India after the 1959 Tibetan uprising against the Chinese communist government.
Tens of thousands of the Dalai Lama’s followers also relocated to India, where they established a government-in-exile.
In the same interview, the 80-year-old spiritual leader said that he hopes return to Tibet one day.
“Maybe in a few years,” he said.
“If an opportunity for my return arises, or at least for a short visit, that would be a source of great joy.”
(NTD Staff)
