DHARAMSHALA, December 12: A Tibetan parliamentary delegation headed by deputy speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel is currently on a visit to Taiwan where the delegation met with Taiwanese members of parliament on Dec. 8.
The delegation comprised of other Tibetan parliamentarians Karma Yeshi, Mokru Tenpa and Gyari Bhutuk.
Deputy speaker Tenphel briefed the Taiwanese MPs, Bi-Khim Hsiao and Ms. Chieh-Ju Chen, about the current situation inside Tibet, and also urged them to support the Tibetans at this critical period. He also gave them an insight into the spate of self immolations by Tibetans inside Tibet since 2009.
The two MPs responded by saying that there are several other MPs in the Taiwanese parliament who support Tibet. They expressed their solidarity with the Tibetan self immolators and their families. The two MPS said that it is important to stand behind the self immolators who have been drawn to the desperate act by Chinese government’s repressive policies against the Tibetans.
The Tibetan MPs requested the Taiwanese MPs for their assistance in starting Taiwanese parliamentary group for Tibet, providing admission for Tibetan students in Taiwanese universities, and solving the problem of Tibetans requiring to renew their Taiwanese visa every two months.
The delegates also met with the members of the Taiwan Tibet Friendship Association. A discussion was held under the auspices of the Office of Tibet, Taiwan, and the Taiwan Tibet Friendship Association. The Tibetan legislators spoke about activities of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, current situation inside Tibet and exile Tibetan life.
Other Tibetan MPs, Kelsang Gyalsten and Khenpo Norbu Tsering, also joined the discussion.
