Dharamshala: A 13-member delegation from 10 different autonomous regions across the world is here to support the Tibetan cause and to share their ideas relating to autonomy and to guide us through problems in our struggle for autonomy for Tibet.
“Since the Tibetans are seeking autonomy, they have to study other autonomy to avoid mistakes. The autonomy representing here are not same. Some elements of our autonomy are crucial that others can take example from”, said a delegation at a press conference held yesterday afternoon at Hotel Bagsu in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala.
The delegation is in India to attend a two-day International Conference of Autonomous Regions for Tibet scheduled for 19-20 November in New Delhi.
The conference is organised by the Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre (TPPRC) based in New Delhi.
“It is the first conference of its kind and hopefully through this conference we plan to increase the network of the autonomous regions”, said Mr. Penpa Tsering, president of the TPPRC and also a member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile.
There are over 40 autonomous regions across the world.
In his introductory address before the press conference, Mr. Penpa said we all share similar experiences. They have gone through same experiences that we Tibetans are undergoing now and we all look for the same kind of solution ‘that is autonomy’ for the conflict resolution. This is one reason why the delegation has gathered here.
He said that it is also because His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his last year visit to South Tyrol expressed his wish about coming together minorities in Europe in support for the Tibetan cause.
Responding the media on whether the conference will embarrass President Hu since it comes before his visit, a delegation said the conference is not to embarrass anyone. While another delegation said in discussion between India and China, Tibet should not be forgotten. There is lack of progress in Sino-Tibetan relationship. China is a multi-national country and it must respect the minorities.
When asked a Mainland Chinese expert who is also a Law professor at Hongkong University, what he can contribute to trim down the doubts of Chinese government, who think of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a separatist, he said everything is possible in Chinese constitution if it is autonomy. “So it depends on the will of the political parties.”
Before meeting the press people, the delegation called on His Holiness the Dalai Lama during which His Holiness briefed them on issues that he considered important for resolving the Tibetan issue. The audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama lasted for about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Yesterday morning the delegation met Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, Kalon Tripa of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), who updated them about the Sino-Tibetan dialogue process, aspirations of the Tibetan people in dealing with China and obstacles in its way.
They also met the speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, Mr. T.T. Karma Chophel who introduced them to the working of the exile parliament.
The delegation was also familiarised with the three pillars of democracy of the CTA. Besides they visited various institutions and the Tibetan Children’s Village.
The delegation consists of Hu Hualing, Professor of Law at Hong Kong University, Lord David Steel, first Presiding Officer (speaker) of the Scottish Parliament, Ash Verdher, political advisor to Lord David Steel, Elisabeth Naucler, Chief Administrator, Aaland Island, Dr Felix Marti, founder of UNESCOCAT, Prof. Alain G Gagnon, Professor of Political Science at the Universite du Quebec a Montreal, Lars Anders Baer, President, Saami Parliament in Sweden and chairman of Sammi Parliamentary Council, and Vittus Qujaukitsog, Corporate Communications Manager, Greenland.
(www.tibet.net is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.)
