Tibet-Taiwan Collaboration

By Tenzin Samten / September 9, 2016;

Legislator Freddy Lim with His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Photo: Focus Taiwan News

Members of the newly founded Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan (HRNTT) visited the Tibetan Government-in-exile based in Dharamshala and have formally announced their collaboration.

“The members of the Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan are pleased to announce its collaboration with the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile through the institution of an All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet in the Taiwanese Parliament, to bolster support and understanding for Tibet at the highest levels” said Tashi Tsering, the founder of the HRNTT.

They also announced that during their private audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama they officially invited His Holiness to visit Taiwan, saying that His Holiness replied that he is very happy to visit Taiwan again. His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s last visit to Taiwan was in 2009 when the country was hit by the deadly Typhoon Morakot. Taiwan’s Legislative Speaker Su Jia-chyuan expressed his warm welcome for His Holiness, saying that their legislative welcomes anyone who facilitates the promotion of democracy and freedom.

Tashi Tsering speaking to the press
Photo: Contact /Lha

The HRNTT visitors were led by Tashi Tsering, along with two Taiwanese legislators Kolas Yotaka and Freddy Lim and eight other representatives. Speaking about Tibetan supporters in Taiwan, Freddy Lim said that though the Taiwanese government has kept quiet about the human right abuses in Tibet, there are many non-government organisations (NGOs) in Taiwan working hard to create awareness about the Tibetan situation in Taiwan and that support has grown in recent years.

The members of HRNTT addressing the press conference held at Dharamshala Photo: Tibet.net

The members of HRNTT at the press conference Photo: Tibet.net

HRNTT will work in collaboration with Tibetan settlements in India to create educational opportunities for Tibetan students to study in Taiwan and are also planning to publish a Tibetan newspaper for children in Tibetan settlements across India as a contribution to preserving the Tibetan language.

HRNTT is a coalition of various Taiwan-based NGOs. It was founded in 2015, its members include Tibetan and Taiwanese students, lawyers, social activists, college professors, writers and legislators as well as representatives of many other professions.