Press Release: Laogai Museum welcomes His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Washington DC, October 7th- Following his presentation at the 2009 Light of Truth Awards this afternoon, His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited the Laogai Museum, the first museum in the world to focus solely on human rights abuses in the People’s Republic of China, both past and present.

His Holiness viewed the permanent collection with Laogai Museum founder Harry Wu and the two discussed the current situation inside China, including the need for an independent judiciary. Mr. Wu also presented His Holiness with a signed copy of Laogai: The Machinery of Repression in China, a new volume published by Umbrage Editions, co-edited by LRF Washington Director Nicole Kempton and with a new essay by Mr. Wu. Upon leaving the museum, His Holiness rendered a common Tibetan teaching, “Should you fail nine times, try nine times.” Museum founder Harry Wu graciously accepted this message of perseverance and said of the visit, “It was such an honor to host His Holiness this afternoon. The Dalai Lama’s continued commitment to human rights and justice in China is truly inspiring.” And said further, “I call on President Obama to meet with His Holiness and renew the United States’ commitment to human rights in China and Tibet.”

For further inquiry regarding this event or the Laogai Museum, please contact Lindsey Purdy at Lindsey@laogai.org or (202) 408-8300.

The Laogai Research Foundation is a not‐for‐profit organization founded by former political prisoner Harry Wu in 1992.
Its mission is to gather information on and raise public awareness of the Laogai—China’s extensive system of forced
labor prison camps.

The Laogai Museum opened in November 2008 as a program of the Laogai Research Foundation. It serves to memorialize the 40 million victims of the Laogai, and educate visitors regarding ongoing human rights issues in China.