A Message of Solidarity from the EU

By Jigme Thinlay / March 24, 2014;

A delegation from the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) of the European Union has visited Dharamshala and expressed support for the Tibetan cause.

The delegation participated in the official commemoration of the 55th anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day, and later had an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Mr. Henri Malosse, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, addressing on March 10, 2014. Photo: tibet.net

Mr Henri Malosse, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, addressing the Uprising Day ceremony at Tsuglakhan, Dharamshala
Photo: tibet.net

Mr Henri Malosse, President of the EESC, said that they were attending the Uprising Day commemoration to show their support for the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA)’s Middle-Way Approach. “The Tibetan nation has been deprived of its dignity and freedom for a very long time. So, I came here to express my solidarity with the Tibetan people and other people oppressed by the Chinese government including the Chinese people” said Malosse. He said that the Tibetan cause is “a universal issue of the freedom, dignity and liberty of Tibet and the Tibetan people”. He also applauded the democratic governance of the CTA as a model organisation, and its effective welfare and education of Tibetan refugees.

Mr Malosse said he has been invited by the Chinese government to visit Tibet and expressed hope that he would be able to visit soon. He has also confirmed that the EU will appoint a Special Co-ordinator for Tibet.

Responding, Sikyong Lobsang Sangay said that their visit “sends a strong message to the international community…and a message of hope to the Tibetans inside Tibet that we have friends around the world who hear them and support them as well.”

The delegation met His Holiness the Dalai Lama on March 12. His Holiness talked about the Middle-Way Approach, saying that he is always ready for dialogue between China and Tibet. He then spoke of the importance of the fight against corruption, as he considers corruption a form of violence and a cancer to humanity. His Holiness expressed his support for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s fight against corruption in his country, and asked President Malosse to express to Xi Jinping a message of peace in the resolution of the Tibetan question during his forthcoming visit to Brussels.