His Holiness at the TSG Conference
Photo: VOT
The seventh International Tibet Support Groups (TSG) conference, inaugurated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, took place in Brussels, at the heart of the European Union, from September 8 – 10.
The first speaker was Mr Thomas Mann, President of the Tibet Interest Group in the European Parliament, who said that this conference was an excellent opportunity to send a message to China regarding the “deficit of human rights and unacceptable conditions” inside Tibet.
Mr Mann was joined by moderator Tsering Jhampa of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) Europe and other speakers who echoed her sentiment that “in the face of China’s economic expansion, it is important for bodies like the European Union to develop appropriately strong policies.”
Delegates at the Conference
Photo: Phayul
The conference was described by the Central Tibetan Administration as having 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”. More than 250 delegates representing over 50 countries and all continents, including 29 from China and 103 from Europe, participated in the event.
The democratically elected Sikyong or Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile Dr Lobsang Sangay said he hopes for a peaceful conflict to the Tibetan issue. He continued by saying that the Berlin Wall came down in Europe and the wall of injustice in Tibet will also come down. Dr Sangay also said that the conference would send a strong message to China that Tibetans are not alone.
The Conference published Action Plans under four categories: Human Rights; Reclaiming the Truth; Chinese Outreach and Environmental Action. The strong participation by Chinese human rights activists was welcomed as showing solidarity between the Chinese people and the Tibetan people.
As the Guest of Honour, His Holiness the Dalai Lama called on his friends and supporters of Tibet to take a broader view; to work to emulate his commitments to promote human happiness and to encourage inter-religious harmony. His Holiness said that his retirement allowed him to work for the preservation of Tibetan culture and language and one of the ways of doing this has been engaging in dialogue with modern scientists.
A final 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.”
The conference was convened in Brussels by the Tibet Interest Group in the European Parliament, and co-hosted by the International Campaign for Tibet, Lights on Tibet, les Amis du Tibet and the Tibetan Community in Belgium. The TSG is a forum for Tibetan supporters from around the globe. The ICT, based in America, works to promote human rights and democratic freedoms for the people of Tibet.
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