By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Sept 13: The convention of Tibet supporters in Brussels where over 250 delegates from over 50 nations congregated wrapped up on Saturday (Sept 10). The three day meeting examined the “current situation in Tibet, especially the political, human rights and environmental developments, and drew up plans for coordinated action to amplify the worldwide Tibet movement,” according to CTA run Tibet.net.
The last day of the 7th edition of the Tibet Support Group meeting was attended by Claudia Roth, Vice President of German Bundestag (German legislative Body at a federal level) who in her address voiced her solidarity towards the Tibetan cause and described Chinese government exercising “reckless power politics”. She said, “Please feel assured that my party – the Green Party in Germany – and so many people in Europe stand at the side of Tibet, when it comes to fighting climate change and also what is now 57 years of non-violent resistance by the Tibetan people. Let the people in Tibet live in freedom, give them the power to decide upon their own destinies and give Tibetan culture the opportunity to thrive and flourish. Of course this message goes primarily to the leaders in Beijing who don’t want to hear a thing about the Tibetan people’s right.”
The gathering of various delegates such as Chinese human rights lawyer Teng Baio, Japanese MP Takashi Nagao and Chinese civil rights activist Chen Guangcheng, Actor Richard Gere and Tibetan activist Golog Jigme among others unanimously felt the need for change in Chinese policies and administrative tactics inside Tibet. The congregation of Tibet supporters outlined, “a series of Action Plans to be carefully considered and developed including joint and individual action by governments on violation of religious freedom, legal action in national courts on the basis of universal jurisdiction, action on language rights at the United Nations, list the 1959 Tibetan national uprising among the UNESCO’s heritage of Memories of the World and to press all affected countries in particular the PRC.”
A statement from the TSG platform read, “We reaffirm our commitment to support His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration leadership’s persistent call for earnest dialogue to resolve the Tibetan issue. We will further strengthen our efforts to press the international community to persuade the Chinese leadership to resume dialogue and will continue our dedication until a satisfactory solution has been achieved.”
Tibetan Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and representatives from various Tibetan and International NGO’s were also in attendance at the CTA’s Department of Information and International Relation facilitated meeting.
