DHARAMSHALA, March 2: Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay was yesterday awarded the Gold Medal of the College Historical Society of Trinity College Dublin for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse by the Auditor of the Society, Ms Ursula Ni Choill.
Addressing a packed audience in Ireland’s capital city university campus, Dr Sangay said he accepted the honour with “deep humility on behalf of the Tibetan people, inside and outside Tibet”.
“Thank you for giving this recognition to the Tibetan struggle,” the 43-year old Harvard law graduate said. “Any such recognition of support is very much appreciated and gives voice to the voiceless inside Tibet.”
Dr Sangay said Tibetans were “inspired” by the Good Friday Agreement signed in 1998, seeking to address relationships between both parts of Ireland and England, Scotland and Wales.
“The Agreement proves that, step by step, reconciliation is possible where many people think it is impossible,” Dr Sangay said. “In that sense it is fitting that I am being recognised here in Ireland as a representative of the Tibetan people.”
“We Tibetans are absolutely confident that our day will come – just as Ireland had its day, and Northern Ireland had its day.”
The de facto Tibetan Prime Minister noted that an increasing number of Tibetans in Tibet were resorting to self-immolation as they were left with “no other means” of calling for freedom and for the return of the Dalai Lama.
“When you cannot have a peaceful demonstration, or paste up posters, or have a rally – when there is no possibility for protest without the likelihood of being arrested or shot, then their only way is self-immolation,” Dr Sangay said.
“His Holiness the Dalai Lama has always discouraged them and I also have appealed for them to refrain – but they continue to choose this method to send a message to the world: ‘We want our dignity’.”
Kalon Tripa said that the Chinese government, instead of responding positively and peacefully, has sent hundreds of truckloads of soldiers with guns into Tibet and barred journalists from visiting Tibet.
“We are concerned that many Tibetans will gather on the forthcoming 10th March and that they will be shot at. But we are still, after 50 years, committed to non-violence,” Dr Sangay said.
Responding to a question on growing trade relations between Ireland and China, the democratically elected Tibetan leader reminded Ireland of its founding principles of freedom and universal human rights, for which many Irish have fought and sacrificed their lives.
“Human rights should be equally important to economic rights and profits,” Dr Sangay said. “Bread, butter and shelter are not all we ask for as human beings – because being human is more than that. What did Irish people fight and die for? Tibetans have the same aspirations as you.”
