French Delegation visits Dharamshala

By Alfredo Aguirre / May 22, 2013;

Speaker Penpa Tsering and Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel of the Tibetan Parliament with the French Senate delegation
Photo: Tibet.net

A four-member French senate delegation, led by Senator Jean-Francois Humbert of the Union for Popular Movement Party, recently made a week-long visit on May 8-14 to the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile in Dharamshala. The delegation also included senators Michel Berson of the Socialist Party, Bernard Fournier of the Union for a Popular Movement, and Andre Gattolin of the Green Party.

During their visit they met the 17^th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee. They also met the Central Tibetan Administration’s Secretary for Information and International Relations, Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, and visited the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute (Mentseekhang). The delegation visited the Tibetan Children’s Village school and various other Tibetan NGOs based in Dharamshala.

“We all have a common goal in our hearts and that is supporting Tibetans,” Humbert said.

Humbert continued to express support, stating “In the international context, when there is violence somewhere, it receives a lot of attention. In the Tibetan case, it would be very useful if the international community recognizes the non-violent struggle of the Tibetan people.”

While addressing a press conference on May 10 at the Department of Information and International Relations, the French delegation praised the Tibetan non-violent struggle for freedom. They also stated that they would ask China to allow a French Parliamentary delegation to visit Tibet. In regards to the visit, Senator Berson said “We might not receive a favorable response to our request but it would be a positive step, which will show we are willing to support the Tibetan people in this difficult time.”

The delegation found the visit to Dharamshala informative. Senator Berson said that he and his fellow delegates learned much more about Tibetan issues than they had previously known.

The French delegation’s visit to Dharamshala came a month after President Francois Hollande met China’s President Xi Jinping. President Hollande brought up human rights issues and Tibet in their talks.