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The Statement of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on the Occasion

of the 50th Anniversary of the Tibetan Democracy Day

With due obeisance to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in whose august presence the 50th anniversary of

the founding of Tibetan democracy is being celebrated. I, on behalf of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile,

extend my warm greetings to the Sangha led by the Religious Heads of all tradition or their representa-

tives, Present and Former Heads of the three Organs of Tibetan Government, Autonomous Institutions,

Honourable Member of National and Provincial Parliaments from different part of the world who have

travelled a long way to be a part of this Celebration, the Heads of the various local governmental and

non-governmental institutions and organisations, the students and the general public who have gathered

here to mark this important day.

Soon after coming into Exile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama advised that the nature of Tibetan Polity be

transformed into a democractic one founded on the principles of liberty, justice and equality for the short

and long-term benefi t of the Tibetan people. Based on which the fi rst parliament, what was then known

as the Commission of Tibetan People’s Deputies, popularly elected by the Tibetan people, took the oath

of offi ce on 2 September 1960. This marked the beginning of the exiled Tibetan’s march on the path of

democracy.

From the time the Tibetan democracy day began to be celebrated offi cially on 2 September 1975 until

now, all the formal ceremonies of the day were held at Dharamsala, the seat of the Central Tibetan Ad-

ministration. However, the fact that the current 50th anniversary is being held at one of the larger Tibetan

settlements in India, namely Bylakuppe, is indeed glorious in that the event is taking place after the suc-

cessful conclusion of two very special programmes the fi rst 6-day National General Body Meeting and

the long-life prayer offering to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We would like to express our deep sense of

gratitude to His Holiness for his gracious presence in our midst on this very special occasion. The main

purpose of holding these events in one of the larger Tibetan settlements was to create awareness among

the Tibetan people at the grassroots level about democracy and so it is hoped that our efforts will meet

this objective.

Today, on the one hand, is a very proud moment for all of us because our democracy is completing 50

years and over these years, the Tibetans have been able to exercise their democratic rights and privileges

to the fullest. On the other hand, however, today is a sad moment for us if we were to go by the reality of

the Tibetans inside Tibet experiencing hell on earth due to the arrogance and intransigence of the Chinese

leaders and the fact that we have been living in exile for more than 51 years with the resolution of the

Tibet problem nowhere in sight.

We are well aware that most of the democracies across the world today have been able to enjoy the fruits

of democracy as a result of their persistent struggle towards it by sacrifi cing many human lives. However,

when His Holiness guided or advised the Tibetan exiles to bring about a democratic transformation into

their political life soon after his coming into exile, they were not really willing or prepared to do so. Even

then, His Holiness the Dalai Lama persisted with it. This is something one would not witness or scarcely

witness in the history of the world. His Holiness has nursed the desire to alter the Tibetan political system

along modern lines right from the moment he assumed both the spiritual and temporal responsibilities

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of Tibet long before the country lost its territory [to the invading Chinese communists]. The prevailing

political situation then, however, prevented him from carrying out these far-reaching reforms.

Soon after his coming into exile in India, His Holiness the Dalai Lama instituted what is today known as

the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. With great foresight, he made this important organ of the administration

to be representative of all the three traditional provinces and fi ve religious traditions of Tibet. Moreover,

he circulated a draft constitution for future Tibet on 10 October 1961 that blends the traditional value

systems with modern norms of democracy. The fi nal version of the draft constitution as mentioned above

was promulgated on 10 March 1963. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has, thus, laid a solid foundation for

the short and long-term benefi ts of the Tibetan people and their religion and politics.

Earlier, due to our lack of proper knowledge about and understanding of democracy coupled with a host

of livelihood problems that we encountered in the beginning of our exile life and particularly due to our

apprehensions about devolving the power of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We have not been able to fol-

low his wishes during the initial 30 years. All these years, however, His Holiness the Dalai Lama kept

guiding the Tibetan people, just as parents do with great compassion and patience to their children, about

democracy in general and particularly about such varied issues as the functions of the Kashag, the pur-

pose of the Tibetan Justice Commission, role of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, duties and responsibili-

ties of the Central Tibetan Administration staff, Tibetan religion and culture, education, economy, social

conditions and the changing Tibetan political scenarios. At times, he went so far as to make his personal

intervention when minor confl icts arose among the different religious, provincial and regional groups

within our community. All these sustained efforts on the part of His Holiness the Dalai Lama have gradu-

ally paved the way for the formulation and adoption of the Charter of the Tibetans-in-Exile and various

other rules and regulations, changes with regard to the appointment of Kalons, evolution of the Tibetan

Parliament-in-Exile into a fully empowered legislative body and the eventual direct election of the Kalon

Tripa by the exiled Tibetan populace. We have, thus, been able to make dramatic progress in terms of the

functioning of democracy in our exile community. The current policy of engagement with the Chinese

government was also laid down through this well-entrenched democratic process. Our experiment with

democracy during the last 50 years has exposed the Chinese government’s lie to deceive the world that

“the Dalai Lama is hell-bent on restoring the old feudal system of Tibet”. In sum, all the progress that we

have been able to make so far was due solely to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s untiring efforts. There is,

therefore, a need for us to make further efforts towards the realisation of all his deeper vision for human-

ity in general and Tibetans in particular.

Notwithstanding the many diffi cult and unfavourable circumstances we faced over the last 50 years, we

have been able to not only establish all those institutions which are very essential for a democracy but

also frame a number of laws as well as rules and regulations that suit our exile situation. All this was pos-

sible mainly due to the efforts of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and those many people in the leadership

past and present who supported him in this endeavour. Hence if we do not lag behind in fulfi lling our

democratic rights and duties in the future, we have all the required institutions for a vibrant democracy.

Many foreigners who take keen interest in Tibet and the Tibetans and support them speak highly of the

organisational effi ciency of the Tibetan diaspora and recognise it as being “different among the equals”

when compared with the many other refugee communities across the world.

As for the Kashag, the executive branch of the Central Tibetan Administration, it is taking utmost care

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and responsibility in carrying out political activities aimed at the resolution of the Tibetan problem

through dialogue with the Chinese government and in advancing the works of the various departments

of the Tibetan administration. The Kashag and Tibetan from all works of life however, need to make ef-

forts to follow up on initiatives such as establishing the religious council, sustaining the existing Tibetan

settlements, producing as many professional Tibetans as possible, creating economic self-suffi ciency and

strengthening our international Tibet-related campaigns.

Since fi nancial support is indispensable for any political activity or social welfare programme to succeed,

it is of utmost importance that Tibetans contribute towards the Central Tibetan Administration’s expen-

diture as the economic condition of the exile Tibetan community improves. For example, the total annual

expenditure of the exile administration could be met with the amount of Rs. 5 lakhs in 1970. However,

due to infl ation and expanding work of the administration, today the annual “recurring” and “special”

expenditures come to about Rs. 400 millions with an additional “specifi c” expenditure of Rs. 600 to 700

millions on social welfare programmes every year. The Tibetans in exile, in reality, contribute only about

Rs. 80 millions towards the above-mentioned expenses. This is an improvement from earlier times, but

additional efforts must be put in this respect. The Central Tibetan Administration continues to provide

assistance to the poor and needy Tibetans. Though presently the administration has enough funds to meet

its expenses, it is very important to think long-term into the future. Especially, it will be a matter of great

pride if wealthy Tibetans could provide fi nancial assistance to the poorer ones.

As the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile has designated a particular region to each of its members, there is a

need for them to work towards raising political awareness of and promoting democratic culture among

the people of their respective regions. It is particularly important to improve the works of local assem-

blies so that the people at the grassroots level are actually able to exercise the basic democratic rights.

Bylakuppe, the place where the Tibetan democracy day is being celebrated today, and in some other

larger Tibetan settlements, we are hitherto unable to establish local assemblies. It is important to set up

local assemblies in these places and likewise, since there are very few settlements where the people of the

locality elect their Settlement Offi cers, it is important to be able to implement the provisions of the Char-

ter by electing them locally. In the 36 settlements where local assemblies have already been set up, there

are varying degrees of effi ciency in their functioning. Most of them are, however, doing their utmost in

discharging their responsibilities.

These days many Tibetans are moving to the West in search of better livelihoods. There are approxi-

mately over 30,000 Tibetans who have moved to Europe and North America. This number will, no doubt,

increase in the future. Unlike in India, Nepal and Bhutan, the Tibetans in the West are not settled in com-

pact communities and this creates a new challenge for the exile Tibetan administration bring them closer

to it. However, the Tibetan associations established in these places are doing quite a good job, which is

indeed praiseworthy. It goes without saying that in the future, these associations will become all the more

crucial and important. As such, we should henceforth start pondering over these matters.

The popularly-elected members of the local assemblies, the Tibetan Freedom Movement Associations,

the co-operative societies and the Tibetan associations in the West, as well as other camp leaders of the

settlements, have contributed a great deal in the evolution of our democratic practices. Even though their

salary and other facilities are meagre yet they have to dedicate long hours for community service besides

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having to put up with all sorts of public annoyance. While thanking all of them for working so hard de-

spite all these odds, we would like to urge them to continue to do so in the future as well.

As for the staff of the Central Tibetan Administration, they have been putting their best efforts until

now. We would like to particularly express our appreciation to those who have been loyally serving the

administration for an extended period of time. Of late, however, Gangchen Kyishong has become like a

college where people come to acquire experience for 2 to 3 years. There is a rush of fresh entrants into

the Tibetan administrative service, but the number of people leaving the job is also no less. For example,

314 staffs were recruited between 2005 and 2010, 144 have already left their positions which amounts to

46.15 percent. It would the best if, from the beginning, only those who can serve for a longer period of

time join the administration. Is it not a great loss if a staff, who has acquired a good deal of experience

and on whom a lot of expectations were placed, leaves when he/she is most needed. Therefore, it will be

more benefi cial in the future if opportunities are given to only those who are willing to serve for a long

time.

The Public Service Commission recruits the offi cials of the Tibetan administration on the basis of their

individual merit; there is no room for using personal contacts to enter into the Tibetan administrative

service. Moreover, the cases of using public property and money for personal benefi ts by the offi cials and

other community leaders are almost non-existent. These are all a matter of great pride for all of us.

One of the positive aspect of our democracy is also the free open functioning of that the NGOs and the

media.

At a time when the elections for two important pillars of our democracy are drawing near, there is much

interest generated and extensive discussions held in our society than ever before. However, the Kalon

Tripa is someone who takes the main political responsibility under the leadership of His Holiness the

Dalai Lam and who presides over the meetings of the Kashag. As such it is important for that person to

be a distinguished individual with a towering personality. Hence, we should take utmost responsibility

to vote for a person who will fulfi l our aspirations and not blindly follow what others say. Likewise, the

Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile is a very important institution. So in order to elect people who are not only

educated and capable but also fully committed to our common cause to the upcoming 15th Parliament, it

is important to exercise the power that lies in our hands. No matter how much one complains or argues

about the shortcomings, if one does not take part in the elections to vote for the best person, then one is

simply engaging in empty talk. Therefore, we would like to strongly urge the exile Tibetans, who fulfi l

the voting criteria, to take active part in the ensuing elections.

Finally, we pray for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the immediate resolution of the

issue of Tibet.

Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile

2 September 2010

................................................Translated from the Tibetan..................................................................

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Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche’s introductory remarks before reading

formal Statement of the Kashag in Tibetan

Your Holiness, His Excellency Shri Ramachandra Gawda, honorable members of parliament from vari-

ous countries, the dignitaries of democratic institutions of Tibetan Diasporas, brothers and sisters,

Today we are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Democracy for Tibetans in Diaspora. With the mixed

feeling, we are happy that under the dynamic leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and most liberal

treatment of the host country; India and the others, the Tibetans living across the globe are able to enjoy

the benefi t of democracy since the establishment of democratically elected Assembly of Tibetan People’s

Deputies on the 2nd of September, in 1960.

Since then, we have strived hard in establishing our democratic institutions and rule of law and today

we have reached a stage of maturity as far as democratic system is concerned. Since 2001, the political

leadership was also directly elected by the Tibetan People in Diaspora through free and fair election.

At the same time, we are saddened by the fact that our brothers inside Tibet who are living under Chinese

rule are deprived of all democratic rights and privileges. They are suffering under the oppressive policies

of one of the world’s most brutal totalitarian regime in today’s world. Democracy of the Tibetan people

will remain incomplete in many ways until we seek genuine autonomy for entire Tibetan people where

freedom of conscience, speech, human dignity and human rights are respected.

At this crucial juncture, our supporters and sympathizers are of great value for us. It is indeed very en-

couraging that several senior parliamentarians from India as well as from countries far and near are here

with us today, despite inconveniences of traveling many hours, to sympathize human solidarity for a

genuine cause. I have no words to thank you all appropriately but I could only say we are deeply touched

and moved by your presence. We are immensely grateful to all of you.

Dear friends, His Holiness always says that Tibetan supporters are neither anti-Chinese nor pro-Tibet.

But they are anti-injustice and pro-justice, anti-violence and pro-nonviolence. Thus, the value of your

support and solidarity cannot be measured from Tibet issue alone. It needs to be measured from the future

well being of humanity as a whole and the promotion of democratic values. You are aware that Tibetan

issue is not a single isolated problem of Tibetans alone. In fact it is a symptom of larger human malady.

In other words, the problem of Tibet is a direct result of lack of democracy and rule of law in China. We

shall have to look at the Tibetan issue from this perspective.

Ladies and Gentlemen, democracy in today’s world is endangered by ever increasing centralized nega-

tive forces. Trade and economic values are dangerously over riding the democratic values. I read an

article entitled “Never Mind Human Rights, Money Matters”. I think this is the true picture of today’s

world scenario.

Therefore, I would like to urge to you and through you to all the parliamentarians of the world to make an

all out effort to save democracy and bring democracy in those nations where it does not exist. A genuine

democracy is the best remedy for all human problems of today.

With these few words, let me thank you again ladies and gentlemen and now forgive me to bore you

while I will read the Kashag’s Statement in Tibetan language for my Tibetan peoples.

........................... This is a verbatim transcript of Kalon Tripa’s introductory remarks .......................

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Hon. Matteo Meccaci, Co-chair of International Network of Parliamentarians on

Tibet (INPaT) working group and the President of Italian Parliamentary

Inter-Group for Tibet.

Good morning Bylakuppe! Good morning Tibetans! Despite the

weather, it is a very pleasant morning. Let me express on behalf of

the International Network of Parliamentarians for Tibet, our sincere

appreciation to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to the Prime minister

Prof. Rinpoche, to the Speaker Penpa Tsering, the Deputy Speaker

Dolma Gyari for inviting us here today. It has been a privilege to be

here over these two days for an intense program that has shown us

the strength of the Tibetan people and the democratic institutions in

exile. Thank you again for inviting us here.

Last year in Rome, as a result of the convention (World Parliamen-

tarians Convention on Tibet) that was held at the Italian Parliament,

we have established this network of parliamentarians that includes more than 100 MPs from over 30

countries. Our aim is to advance the cause of a Free Tibet inside a Free China in all parts of the world.

Let me say that I share the analysis that was just made by Prof. Rinpoche who said that in order to have

a Free Tibet we need to have a Free China. These things go together. We have to promote freedom in

China to get freedom for Tibet.

Our goal is very diffi cult because, despite the increasing integration of China in world affairs, especially

in economy and fi nance, the Chinese leadership has not yet shown the capacity to fi nd a just solution to

the Tibetan question. Well, if China wants the world to accept that the solution of Tibet is by eliminating

the Tibetan culture, our answer will be very clear. No, we cannot accept the dissolution of Tibet.

The reason why we are saying this is not just for Tibet. We are also doing this campaign and conduct-

ing this struggle for our own countries. If Europe, the United States, Africa or Latin America accepts to

stay silent today while the Tibetans are being killed and imprisoned just for saying what they think, it

also means that the freedom and democracy do not mean anything also for us in our own country. This

is the truth and we have to fi nd the courage to speak the truth even in diffi cult times. If for commercial

reasons, we accept to lower our standard on human rights, we are also complicit in the killing of not only

of people, we are also complicit in the killing the very basis of the concepts of freedom and democracy.

And this is a crime of which we cannot be complicit.

For people who have no power, like you, like many of us, in the face of diffi cult times, there are very sim-

ple things that need to be done. We have to keep alive the faith in our values. The main value to which we

must remain attached is the value of seeking the truth. For this, we have to seek the truth on the violations

of human rights in Tibet. For this, we have to seek the truth on the Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy

that was presented by the Tibetan government through the Tibetan Envoys to the Chinese government.

And to seek the truth, we have to use compassion and non-violent strategies and techniques.

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Yesterday, in the wonderful lecture that His Holiness gave on Buddhism, He has shown the capacity of

a modern world leader who is able to keep alive the philosophical traditions that are thousands of years

old and modern science that is slowly coming to the same conclusions, for example, on the importance

of meditation for the health of brain and the importance of spirituality. At the same time, His Holiness

stated that in Buddhism, as in secular ethics, both the knowledge and practice of values are important.

They both come together. I wish to say that if we all believe that the non-violent teachings of Gandhi are

crucial to achieve our goals then we have to start to refl ect on our capacity to implement those principles

into practice. And in politics; marches, hunger strikes, sittings, demonstrations and many other means

can be used to seek and investigate the truth in a non-violent way. We need to seek the truth in politics,

as in philosophy and as in spirituality. These are all human activities that cannot be conducted by telling

lies. And in order to be able to do these, I humbly say we certainly need your leadership, your Holiness.

And we humbly call on you to lead us on this path.

As parliamentarian’s network, we will continue in our work to support the Tibetan people. It is not

against the Chinese people, but it is to ensure that the Chinese people also enjoy basic human freedoms.

They also suffer, and we also have to take care of their future. This is in the interest of everybody because

the era in which we are living must become an era of cooperation, not of division. And under your leader-

ship, your Holiness, we wish to reach soon in a Free Tibet in a Free China. And please keep alive your

determination, and we will keep alive ours. Thank you very much.

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Hon. Takam Sanjoy, Member of Lok Sabha and Member

of INPaT Working Group

Jai Hind Jai Tibet

His Holiness the Dalai lama, Prime Minister of the exiled Government,

Speaker and the Deputy speaker of the exiled Government, Members

of Parliament, my colleagues from various countries, hon’ble Minis-

ter from Government of Karnataka, My dear sisters, brothers, Monks,

Ladies and Gentlemen who are present here.

Your Holiness, we as Members of Parliaments from various countries

has joined you not only to celebrate and commemorate the 50th Anni-

versary of Tibetan Democracy and struggle, we have also come here

to express our solidarity and support to the cause that Tibetan people

have stood since the last many decades.

I have come across several Tibetan members of the Parliament along

with my Chief Minister Dorjee Khando who was in Delhi, immediately after he became the Chief Min-

ister. Madam Dolma was also there. We discussed about the status, problems and the diffi culties that the

Tibetan people in various camps of Arunachal pradesh (AP) are facing. Tibetans in AP and North eastern

states are safe, secure and we also try our best to develop them economically.

My dear friends, you are not all alone fi ghting for Democracy. Those who believe in God and those who

believe in Democracy are all with you in your struggle for freedom. Democracy in tibet is the essence of

Asian people. The geopolitical and ecosystem in Tibet is as important for Tibetans as it is for us. It is ees-

sential for us to preserve our eco- system. With the climate change that is takinig place we are disturbed

with various infrastructural constructions in Tibet. With dams and bridges being unscrupulously built

over Tsangpo River (Brahamaputra), it will disturb the entire eco system of the Himalayan region.

Your Holiness, the Tibetan people in India are our brothers and sisters. You are not really far away from

Tibet. We in India also struggled to attain our freedom. Mahatma Gandhi is a symbol of Indian Indepen-

dence. He manifested our freedom struggle and the only instrument that he used was peace and Non vio-

lence. Your Holiness, we believe in your leadership, the message of non violence that had been inherited

from the teachings of Lord Buddha. This will be imbibed by the Tibetan people and the people all over

the world strugglinh for freedom in Tibet.

Your Holiness, we the members of parliaments from various countries also pray that the dialogue pro-

cess that have been initiated few years ago should be carried on. A meaningful dialogue for a maximum

autonomy within the PRC, Genuine Autonomy with respect to religious freedom, with respect to natural

resource utilization for the Tibetan people in Tibet are important essence of our struggle for freedom. I

wish success for the freedom struggle and it will be achieved in the near future for our Tibetan brothers

and sisters . We pray to God so that more and more strength be given to our people in the struggle to

freedom.

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I salute your Holiness for being the messanger of Peace and for adopting peace and non-violence as the

basic instrument.for restoration of freedom in Tibet. Swami Vivekananda, the famous monk of India said

‘Arise, Awake and Stop Not till the goal is achieved.’ With these few words, I thank the exile govt. and

the Parliament for giving us the opportunity to enable us to share our concern for our people inside and

outside Tibet.

Jai Hind. Tashi Delek.

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Senator Consiglio Di Nino, President of the Canadian Parliamentary

Group for Tibet and the member of INPaT working group.

Tashi Delek. Your Holiness, honorable Kalon Tripa, high lamas, hon-

orable members of the Kashag, honorable guests, honorable heads of

the three pillars of the government in exile, residents of Bylakuppe

settlement, ladies and gentlemen, friends.

This is an incredible honor for me. As I look at this vast crowd, it makes

my heart feel good. I am from Canada, and I would like to take a couple

of minutes to tell you about how the Tibetan community in Canada is

doing in its support for a just and reasonable solution to the Tibetan

cause. Firstly, I believe you all know that His Holiness is an honorary

Canadian citizen, but we don’t charge him taxes. Not yet, your Holi-

ness. We have one of the largest Tibetan communities in the world

numbering about 7 to 8 thousand, very active, very strong, very vocal

and very supportive of the Tibetan cause.

We are in the process of constructing and His Holiness will be coming to visit us next month to bless the

opening of the new Canadian Tibetan Cultural Centre in Toronto, where some 5,000 Tibetans have come

to make Toronto their home. And I would like to say to you that the Tibetans in my country honour Tibet

and honour all Tibetans. They are welcome citizens who have come to enrich our multicultural nation.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the struggle for freedom and justice, I guess, in life never ends. But for Tibet, it is

becoming a long run. I have a couple of message I want to leave you with. One message is directed to the

Chinese; ‘His Holiness is not the problem, His Holiness is the solution to the problem, His Holiness will

lead his people to a just and fair solution.’ That is the message that the Chinese have to understand.

The other message I want to leave you with is that the world will not abandon the Tibetan cause. Some-

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times it may seem as if things are not as well as we would like them. But that is part of life as well. But as

we, from different countries we represent here today, all parliamentarians and others who have attended

the parliamentary conferences and all of the parliamentary groups, non-partisan, all-party parliamentar-

ians across the world can vouch that there is very strong support across the world for Tibet and to the

Tibetan cause and His Holiness. And we will not abandon you. On a personal basis, I want to say to His

Holiness and to all of you that here in front of thousands and thousands of people, I reconfi rm my support

for your cause. Thukjeche. Bod Gyalo.

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Hon. Peter Slipper, Member of Australian Parliamentary Group for

Tibet and member of INPaT working group for Tibet

(now the Deputy Speaker of Australian Parliament)

Your Holiness, Prime Minister, Mr. Speaker, High Lamas, monks and

members of the Tibetan community in exile. Firstly, I bring you greetings

from the Parliament of Australia and also from the leader of the opposi-

tion in Australia who met His Holiness, when he was last in Australia,

and who, following the elections two weeks ago is poised to become the

Prime minister of Australia. As a member of the All-party Parliamentary

Group for Tibet, I want to assure the Tibetan community in exile that it

enjoys very strong support not only from the Parliament of Australia but

also from the people of Australia.

His Holiness is a living world treasure. His Holiness is an inspiration to

all of us. His Holiness has the capacity to make us all feel humble and to

be happy. His Holiness is a role model and an inspiration to the world.

In 2010, the countries around the world talk about self-determination and

human rights. My argument is that the human rights of Tibetans are equal-

ly important to the human rights of people of other countries.

His Holiness is guiding the world with his suggestion of a Middle Way for Tibet. Many people see this as

being an extraordinarily generous response from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and also from the Tibetan

Parliament and the Tibetan people in exile. This is a golden opportunity for China to prove that it is a

modern country and wants to be a good world citizen. China will not be respected around the world until

it engages meaningfully with representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with a view to solving once

and for all the great inequity which currently exists, and that is, the dispossession and exile of Tibetan

people.

It is absolutely vital that we as members of parliament and the non-governmental organizations, bring

pressure upon China to genuinely negotiate for a mutually satisfactory outcome. The world owes the

Tibetan people its support. In 2010, the human rights of Tibetans are as important as the human rights

of others. I implore China to remove one of the blots on its world copy book. What it should do is to

negotiate meaningfully with a resolve of solving once and for all the Tibet issue with equity, fairness and

decency.

Thank you for your hospitality here at Bylakuppe. I have been to Dharamsala but I have been so im-

pressed with what is being achieved here in this area with the cooperation of the Government of India.

Congratulations. Our thoughts, our prayers and good will are with His Holiness and the Tibetan people,

as they strive for a meaningful, fair, decent and equitable solution to what is a problem not of their mak-

ing.

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Hon. Birgitta Jonsdottir, Member of Iceland Parliamentary Group for Tibet

and the member of INPaT working group.

Dear honoured guests and dear fellow human beings. To speak to you

at this historical moment in time, fi lls me with humbleness and happi-

ness. Thank you for your spirit of compassion and tolerance.

Today marks the 50th Anniversary of your government, 50 years of

experiment with the democratic model, 50 years of government in

exile, and 50 years of trying to build the bridge between the Chinese

authorities and the Tibetan people. It seems at times that there is no

progress, and there seems at times as if the suffering of Tibetan people

may never end, if things are carried on as they are doing. But for an

outsider like me, I have seen the Tibetan people take an impossible

situation and do something remarkable with it.

The government in exile and its work towards giving the growing

number of people in exile, a structure of democratic nature, its service to the people in exile all over the

world, is nothing but an incredible social experiment and I applaud you for its brilliance. It is pure al-

chemy to be able to transform such diffi cult task into what you have done.

We in the west often claim that we know democracy. We live in democracies but some nations want to

impose their model to other nations. But if you look beyond the pretty words, you might fi nd that many

countries do not know true freedom and the people in power have no ties or compassion for the common

people. Sometimes I see dictatorship with many hats in the west. Democracy is as complex an action as

any other idea developed from the human mind. True democracy is only true if it is a refl ection of the

people it is supposed to serve.

I feel it is of great urgency that we as humanity start to face the fact that we are running out of planet if

we carry on living as we are doing. And we need to start to work together for a common vision for our

planet, and humanity as a whole, as well as become more aware as citizens, of our responsibilities in the

democratic process. If we want to live in the society we dream of, we need to help co-create that reality.

In the last year, many environmental disasters have hit Tibet and the regions surrounding Tibet. Global

warming is not a fi ction, but something we are witnessing with incredible imbalance on our nature. One

of these places on our planet is the so-called Third pole. The mountains in Tibet with its glacier caps are

melting at an alarming rate. It is changing the monsoon seasons here in these areas, the regions around

Tibet and they are the big factor behind the terrible fl oods in Pakistan and China. Yet very few speak of it,

because the world is not aware of the situation in Tibet. I pledge to do everything in my human capacity

to raise awareness about this situation because nature has demonstrated to us that there are no borders.

In Iceland, we only have six Tibetans. One of them once said when we were protesting outside the Chi-

nese Embassy every Saturday for 9 months around the time of the Tibetan uprisings in 2008 that if you

31

do have few neighbours, stop the fi re at his house or the fi re will spread to your house. It is a simple mes-

sage of profound truth and one of the reasons why the rest of the world should really help the Tibetan

people.

My heart goes out to all Tibetans in Tibet and in exile because of the growing oppression in Tibet. It is

time to fi nd a way to wake up the international community about this reality. And I have strong hope that

the work we are doing in fact will be of use in this regard. It is truly amazing to fi nd Parliamentarians

from different countries and different backgrounds working on a common cause with such passion as

those that I have found in INPaT.

The things that might seem impossible today might turn around tomorrow. Nothing is impossible. I want

to use this opportunity to thank His Holiness the Dalai Lama for being an inspiration. A faraway mentor

that I never thought I will be blessed to meet. His way of dealing with such incredible diffi culties and yet

gives so much hope and happiness not only to Tibetans but millions of people all over the world. And

his way of explaining complex matters in a simple language has made a big impact, a big change in our

world. And for that, I am very thankful.

Finally, a message espoused by His Holiness and transformed into a poem by Mr. Ron Whitehead. And it

is poem that I know many of you know. It is called ‘Never Give Up’. And I want to read it for the people

in Tibet.

No matter what is going on,

Never Give up

Develop the hearts, too much energy

In your country

Is spent developing the mind

Instead of the heart,

Develop the heart

Be compassionate

Not just to your friends,

But to everyone

Be compassionate

Work for peace in your hearts

And in the world

Work for peace,

And I say again

Never Give up

No matter what is going on,

Never Give up

32

33

No matter what is going on,

Never Give up

Develop the hearts, too much energy

In your country

Is spent developing the mind

Instead of the heart,

Develop the heart

Be compassionate

Not just to your friends,

But to everyone

Be compassionate

Work for peace in your hearts

And in the world

Work for peace,

And I say again

Never Give up

No matter what is going on,

Never Give up

34

Hon. Ramachandra Gowda, Minister for Medical Education,

Karnataka State, India.

Namaste to everybody. Tashi Delek.

I shall begin by paying my obeisance to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Greetings to all the dignitaries on the dais, to the venerable monks,

brothers and sisters of the universe.

Freedom is the birth right of every living being. More so the freedom

is the birth right of every human being. If freedom is the right of every

being, freedom is also the right of every family. More so freedom is

the birth right of every Tibetan.

In the last 50 years the Tibetans have been fi ghting for freedom and

are living here as the co-citizen of my country. You are not a second

citizen here, but you are equal to that of the people of Karnataka.

Many of you here were not born 50 years ago. At that time there were

very few of you. But the numbers of Tibetans have been growing

since. Growth is a natural phenomenon and therefore growth is taking place. We are very happy. On be-

half of Karnataka and on behalf of my beloved Chief Minister Mr. B.S. Yeduyarappa, we have decided

to give Ration Cards to all the Tibetans. We have already given 1031 ration cards.

When I came here the last time along with Sudarshanji, I promised to make arrangements for road con-

struction and other things. Already Rs. 1.5 Crore have been sanctioned and the road construction will

begin in a few days. With regards to Tibetan people’s right to land, the land for the Tibetan Refugees are

leased land and therefore the decision has to be taken at the national level. As soon as we get clearance

from the Central Government, we will see what best can be done regarding the right to land. We will

give it.

Friends, the entire world should join together to get freedom for the Tibetans. Many countries are rep-

resented here; I believe everybody will join me in the struggle for the Tibetan freedom. And it should

be through the means of love and compassion just as Mahatma Gandhi got freedom for our country.

Abraham Lincoln once said I do not want to be king, as I do not want to be a slave. Nobody is a slave;

everybody is a king in a democratic set up. Everybody deserve to have all the rights and more so every

human individual should get it.

Our late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the then Chief Minister of Karnataka Nijalingappa and

Devaraj Urs has given all the facilities to the Tibetans. Today there are nearly 40 thousand Tibetans in

Karnatka at Bylakuppe, Hunsur, Kollegal and Mundgod. They are all living very comfotably. I have

only one small request. I request you to mix with the local people. Do not feel you are different. Be in the

mainstream. It is said that birds of the same feather fl ock together. The entire human beings in the uni-

verse are one and there cannot be differentiation. No one can take the right of the other person by force,

if someone does that, we have to fi ght together and that should be the attitude of all the human beings.

35

Friends, it is a great opportunity for me to be here on behalf of Karnataka and on behalf of my beloved

Chief Minister and it is an honour to be along with the His Holiness the Dalai Lama ji, who is today the

greatest person on earth and a great saint as Swami Vivekananda was for India. He used to be honoured

and respected. Each of his words carry so much weight and each of his word is like a mantra. The mantra

that mesmerised the entire universe. Friends, again I thank you especially those who have come from

nook and corners of the world,

Jai Hind! Jai Karnataka! Jai Jagad!

36

Hon. Pernille Frahm, Member of Parliamentary Group for Tibet, Denmark.

Good morning everybody. Your Holiness, dear colleagues, dear friends,

dear men and women and not least dear children of Tibet. You are the

future of Tibet. So a special welcome to you. First of all, I would like

to thank you all for the honour of being invited to come here today and

take part in the 50th anniversary of the exiled Parliament for Tibet.

And even more so, I am honoured to give you my greetings along with

my colleagues to the members of the Tibetan exile Parliament and to

all of you gathered here today to share the celebrations.

Since my early youth, I remember all the stories we heard about the

people of Tibet who suffered so severely from the Chinese occupation

but who still managed to keep the dignity and their principles of non-

violence. We in Europe have felt powerless when we saw men, women

and children fl eeing or dying during the severe oppression of Chinese

military. We have on the other hand felt a big inspiration for the strong will to insist on non-violent re-

sistance.

The question of human rights in China and Tibet came again on the international agenda a few years ago

when Beijing was selected to host Olympics in 2008. Then the hope for change had a new chance, and

we all again hoped that China will live up not only to the Olympic standards but also to basic universal

standards of friendship, cooperation, understanding, democracy and human rights. It gave many demo-

cratic countries a chance to

address the question of freedom and human rights in China and Tibet under Chinese authorities. But it

soon became clear that the Chinese government wanted business as usual, and that the only change was

37

in the worst direction. And here the rest of the world and especially the part of the world who calls itself

democratic, failed. We let down the hopeful people in China, and we especially let down the hopes in

Tibet. But even such a great disappointment could not change the spirit of Tibet. And these incidents

show the rest of the world in the clearest way that the Dalai Lama is not only the religious, spiritual and

cultural leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama is indeed also a political leader for its people, and he is also in

the most of the world recognized as such.

Today, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Parliament In Exile. We must keep in memory the

strength and the patience of a large number of men, women and children. Their patience and hope is

strongly connected to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. But they are not and can never be the responsibil-

ity of one person whoever he or she is. They must also build and trust in democracy and in democratic

institutions.

We have had many visits in my small country from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and I have had the

honour of meeting you in Copenhagen during the climate summit in December last year. I have also had

the honour and pleasure of meeting Madam Kalsang Taklha who addressed my party congress in spring

2009. And I also met the Speaker Mr. Penpa Tsering in my small country. I hope that we will meet again,

and I hope that one day we no longer talk about exile but a political leadership chosen by the people in-

side and outside Tibet.

It is my belief that such patience and such hope can only exist as a result of universal responsibility

among people for freedom, security and dignity of life in general and human beings in particular on this

planet. And bearing this mind, it is clear that the destiny of Tibet is closely connected with the destiny

of us all. Let me fi nish my greetings to you in this spirit and in the hope that next time when we meet,

freedom, security, democracy will be a part of everyday life of people in Tibet and in China and in the

rest of the world. Thank you.

38

Today, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Parliament In Exile. We must keep in memory the

strength and the patience of a large number of men, women and children. Their patience and hope is

strongly connected to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. But they are not and can never be the responsibil-

ity of one person whoever he or she is. They must also build and trust in democracy and in democratic

institutions.

39

Hon. Mario Ambrosini, Member of Parliament, South Africa.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, high lamas, lamas, members of the Cabi-

net, members of Parliament, Parliamentarian colleagues from all over

the world, brothers and sisters. We all are brothers and sisters, as we

fi ght under the trenches of democracy alongside with those who came

before us, and alongside with those who will come after us.

A great deal has been said to mark the 50th anniversary of Tibetan

democracy in exile and refl ect on the unwarranted invasion of Tibet.

Coming as I do from Africa, I will limit my remarks to highlight the

importance of Tibet for the whole of the sub-Saharan Africa. A new

scramble for Africa and for its resources is now coming. China is lead-

ing it and alas! It is both setting the tone and limiting its goals. Money

is given to the African leaders and governments right there where, the western Governments laboriously

worked for 20 years to bypass such people and such entities to reach directly for the intended benefi cia-

ries through NGOs.

China is far more relaxed in its practices, and this is fuelling endemic corruption and chronic tendencies

towards undemocratic practices, unfortunately breeding throughout Africa. Arms are shifted from China

into African countries, especially small arms, undermining both African and global effort in arms con-

trol. This is most concerning, considering the setbacks and evolutions in the process of democratization

of a continent which this year marks the 50th anniversary of the commencement of its liberation and the

60th of the completion of such a process.

China will not change its way in Africa until it changes its way in China. China will not change its way

in China until it rights the wrongs in Tibet. Tibet has indeed become the possible turning point of history.

Unless China democratizes, Africa will be gravely harmed. Tibet now stands as the crucible in which

China’s democratic transformation is to be forged with the help of us all. This realization underpinned

the declaration of the 5th World Parliamentarian Convention on Tibet held in Rome which not only sup-

ported the Tibetan Autonomy but also peculiarly went to great length and strength of stating in its aim

that of supporting democratization of China. And indeed China is a continent, and it has its roles in the

world.

For these reasons, from this turning point of the 50th anniversary of democracy in exile for Tibet, we

must turn the cause of Tibet into a mass mobilization of Parliamentarians, churches, NGOs, governments,

and all the relevant institutions across the world, and across the spectrum of civil society to help China to

walk the path of its democratic transformation. There is also another important reason to do so. History

will recall how a group of peaceful monks led by His Holiness, leading its people, has pursued the long

struggle exclusively through the methodology of non-violence, negotiation and moral high ground.

By granting Tibet the limited and reasonable autonomy it now seeks, China will be leave on the world

at large the legacy of successful non-violent struggle which will undoubtedly form the basis of how the

40

confl icts of present and the unavoidable confl icts of future may be resolved. Conversely, the failure of

Tibet and the failure of the Tibetan cause may discredit the methodology of non-violence for the years

to come.

From this point on, we must seize the possibility of turning the Tibetan issue into a new unifying cause

which can again bring together democrats from across the world as it happened in the worldwide rejec-

tion of racial discrimination in South Africa, which unifi ed the world in a global effort to terminate apart-

heid. This battle may signifi cantly move forward the cause of mankind and enable China to become a

great international partner and leader which we all sincerely hope and may rise to be for its own sake and

for the sake of mankind. If we failed, the sub-Saharan Africa continent will be among the most adversely

affected.

Given the importance of this undertaking, given the importance of this mission of ours and the fact that

we are here today is really, as far as I am concerned, a pledge which I hope all my colleagues feel equally

important. And when we come back, we hope that we come back here not just to greet but to account for

what we will have done to bring this pledge forward and to signify what we together have done for Tibet

and the important cause that it underpins. Thank you very much.

41

42

Hon. Santosh Vinita Kalyan, Member of Parliament, South Africa.

His Holiness, Honourable Speaker, Honourable Minister, Honourable

Members of Parliament, Ladies and Gentlemen. All protocols observed.

It is indeed an honour and privilege to address this august body on the

occasion of the 50th anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day. Thank

you very much for your invitation. I bring you greetings from the lead-

ership of the Democratic Alliance which is the offi cial opposition in the

National Assembly and the Parliament of South Africa.

Having grown up and lived some of my adult life in the apartheid era, I

can fully understand the plight of Tibetans and I can draw many paral-

lels between your struggle and that of South Africa during apartheid.

During the apartheid era, white supremacy reigned. Laws like the Group

Area Act ensured that black people who live in townships and informal

settlements without light and water away from the whites. Black people had to carry a pass on them at all

times. And if they were caught outside their area in a white area after 8 O’clock they were arrested. The

Immorality Act prohibited relationship between blacks and whites and if I was caught associating with a

white person I was sure to be arrested.

In my student days, I was in possession of a literature which the white government decided I shouldn’t

have. And of course, my home was raided and I was arrested. Buses, movie houses and even bus seats

had signs on them which said “For Whites Only”. After nearly sixty years, I can proudly say South Africa

is free. Many people paid a heavy price for this freedom. Some paid with their life. Some paid with exile

and it is the same sacrifi ces that you as a people are paying.

The great advantage of democracy is that it puts power in the hands of the people. This is what makes

democracy preferable to every other form of government. It is exactly what the struggle against apartheid

was all about. Only in a democracy, politicians are afraid of the people instead of the other way around.

Because only in a democracy can the people kick the government out. Central to the success of democ-

racy are the principles of openness and transparency. Without a free fl ow of information, power abuse

goes unexposed, unchecked and unpunished. The truth gets covered up and the result is that people can-

not make informed decision and they cannot hold their leaders to account at the ballot box. This means

democracy withers and dies.

China’s bully boy tactics based on protecting the public interest by protecting its so called national inter-

est is a smoke screen and is a great danger zone for democracy. The people of Tibet have spoken and it

is up to us to assume a collective responsibility to action as they will. I undertake on behalf of my party

Democratic Alliance to help your cause.

I am more determined now than ever before and there are three reasons for it. First, I am very ashamed

of my government. They declined or denied your visa. Your Holiness, when you are supposed to come to

South Africa on the occasion of the celebration of the Nobel Laureates. It’s an absolute disgrace that the

43

government in power in South Africa who fought for their freedom denied your visa and I am ashamed

of that. But unfortunately China pledged 50 millions dollars to the election campaign and our government

actually saw the dollar sign and they denied you your rights. Second reason is that I got two telephone

calls one on Friday and one on Saturday from the offi ce of the Chinese Consul General pleading with me

to cancel my trip. First I was stunned and then I was amused because I don’t give into bully boys, not at

all. The third reason, I pledge my support because I came, I saw and I heard for myself.

So in conclusion, to all Tibetans, let me leave you with these words, ‘if you change your face you change

nothing but if you face change you change everything. Keep the light of hopes on. Namaste.

44

Hon. Tonino Picula, Member of Parliament Croatia (former Foreign Minister)

Your Holiness, honourable Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile,

The Prime Minister and dear members of the Tibetan community. In a

way this is for me a return visit to your community. Because the Gov-

ernment of Croatia, when I was Minister of Foreign Affairs already

proudly hosted His Holiness in the city of Zagreb in year 2002. So I

would like to thank for this exceptional opportunity to speak where

words have special weight. Now I am a member of the Croatian par-

liament and a devoted pleader of the right to speak freely. Especially

there, where words are clamped and where it needs to be whispered.

International order in history is being based on either hegemony or

power equilibrium. However today we are facing the so called multi-polar world. But what is the content

of that order? Has such a world become more rightful? More moral and safer for human being and his

primary community?

We are witnessing the globalisation of market and capital. Is solidarity being globalised as well espe-

cially among groups that are being affected by the uncertainties brought along by globalisation? However

it puts permanent pressure on the ingrained values and identities. In the age of globalised opportunities,

the threats are also being globalised. There is almost no regional crisis that has no potential to grow into a

global one. We have an obligation to insist on human values in the processes of globalisation in lieu of its

bad effects such as exclusion of the whole communities from the processes of wealth creation, poverty,

45

generally presented feeling of insecurity, fi nancial instability and endangering the natural environment.

For the world to be truly multi polar, it needs the right partnership of social movements that have been

created on the justifi ed calls for defence of human rights and the rights to diversity, national, religious

and cultural identity, peace initiative, natural environment and so on.

Dear friends, human rights should be like a law of gravity. They need to be valid universally everywhere

on the planet. The international community must overcome the unjust division of the central and periph-

eral zones. Peace in our 21st century must not become just a period of security between wars and strokes

of terrorism. The force, I want to especially underline this that force should be defi nitely abandoned as

the means of confl ict resolution. Smaller disputes can be resolved through the common rules of court’s

decision and the major ones should be left to time and negotiations.

There is, my friends, experience from the part of the world I am coming from, Southeast Europe. The

Balkans in the past was the region of confl icts and divisions. Not all problems have been solved. Today it

is becoming the region of cooperation and common goals. Your homeland Tibet has for long times borne

the burden with the interest of foreign policies and forces. Both ones in the neighbourhood as well the

ones from other parts of the world.

The support to the Tibetan rights, to identity and development will also in future, depend on the policy

of the Tibetan leadership. Non-violent struggle and continuous appeal to dialogue, guarantee receiving

supports from the world public. But who can be an ally to the Tibetan future and pleader of cohabitants

of two peoples in today’s China. For Tibet, the answer to this question is important as the support from

abroad.

Your Holiness, dear Tibetans, the path you have been walking along for the past 50 years has been long

and curvy. The fact is in all respect, your loyalty to your homeland and your identity has been guarded

within democratic parliamentary framework. The Tibetan Buddhism is crucial for spirituality to a large

part of the world, in which we seek an answer to the questions that link our common origin which I

believed is our common future. Albert Einstein has once said that what made him sad was the world

in which it is easier to break an atom than to break the prejudices. Nevertheless, thanks also to the wise

Dalai Lama, today prejudices are more dangerous than ever in human history. Because of this, our en-

deavour must be even more ambitious and value even more visible. Thank you.

46

47

Hon. Beata Bublewicz, Member of Parliamentary Group for Tibet, Poland.

Your Holiness, Ladies and Gentlemen, the youngest Tibetans. Thank

you from the bottom of my heart for the possibility of being here to-

day with you.

I would like to present to you today the issue of Tibet from the Central

and Eastern European perspective. On the one hand, obvious histori-

cal similarities call for spontaneous solidarity with Tibet among na-

tions of our region. And I do not mean only recent tragic history. For

example, Poland like Tibet once ruled a very powerful kingdom. It

chose to introduce new religion, Christianity, which was to complete-

ly transform the nation through Czechs, not Germans, as Tibetans ad-

opted Buddhism from India, not from China.

At one time, this kingdom broke into provinces, united again and emerged greater but later disappeared

from the maps of world for 150 years till we adopted the fi rst European constitution seized by neighbour-

ing powers. Like Tibetans, we had government in exile and a strong refugee community. It is enough

to say that some of the most importance works of arts which shaped our modern national identity were

written in exile. We have experienced Germanisation and racifi cation just as Tibet is experiencing sini-

fi cation now.

During genocide of World War II, Poland had not only had its underground army but also the whole

underground State, with independent judiciary, schools, universities etc, struggling against occupants.

After the war, the Pols like Tibetans felt forgotten, betrayed and insulted by the world to Stalin’s empire.

Through all these tragedies, from partitions to Nazi and communist genocides, Polish nation like the Ti-

betans kept its identity, language and culture mainly because of strong bonds of religion and efforts of the

church. And fi nally, as envisaged by His Holiness the Dalai Lama after all these bloodsheds, we regained

our independence, freedom, and strived for non-violent means and dialogue.

There is no more powerful symbol of this than the date of June 4, 1989, when we cast our vote for the

fi rst partially-free elections that was to transform not only our country but the whole region. Tanks and

army massacred students and citizens of Beijing. On the other hand, the pressures of the Beijing com-

bined with very diffi cult and vulnerable internal economic situation often prevented this widespread un-

derstanding and solidarity from being translated into substantial political support for Tibet. Communist

China resorted to all means to prevent criticism of her human right’s abuses or expressions of solidarity

with Tibet. Sadly, I am of the opinion that we missed a historical opportunity of the new international

quality of the voices of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It is even sadder that the Beijing is

not taking lessons of our regime.

It is clear that the transition was much more successful and peaceful in the countries with strong demo-

cratic opposition like Czech Republic or Poland than in the countries with regimes that did not tolerate

slightest dissent like Romania. It is absolutely clear for us that on the contrary to the fears of the Chinese

48

regime, the democracy and the respect to the rights and freedoms of all citizens, minorities, workers,

religious groups etc. makes the State only stronger, not weaker.

The third factor is the international community especially western democracies, which demanded respect

for human rights and strongly supported democratic changes in our region, although it is obvious that the

so-called bilateral dialogue on human rights with PRC bears no result. For many governments, it became

a convenient excuse for not taking any substantial action. The Central and Eastern European countries

struggled to join the structures of NATO and European Union. So it is only natural and comfortable for

them to follow examples of western countries. And the Tibetans, sadly, paid for it a very high price.

International recognition and support for the cause of Tibet is especially important after the declaration

of war on terror. We shall not overcome and uproot terrorism through violent means only. We need some

constructive examples capable of showing to all nations that there is a meaningful alternative to violence,

peaceful solution of the problem of Tibet through dialogue between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and

the Chinese leadership would be in my opinion the ideal example and hope for the whole world. Thank

you.

49

50

Honorable Gianni Vernetti, Vice-Chair of the Italian Parliamentary

Inter-Group for Tibet (former vice Foreign Minister of Italy)

Tashi Delek to everyone. Your Holiness, honourable members of the

Tibetan Parliament in Exile, honourable members of the Kashag, high

Lamas and of course, all the nuns and monks and the Tibetan friends.

First of all, I once again want to thank the government of India that

seized the terrible time of 1959, hosted His Holiness the Dalai Lama

of Tibet, and through the Tibetan refugee community, made it possible

for this great experiment of democracy in exile. We all really love and

respect the great Indian democracy from which since ancient times we

have so much to learn. Thanks again honourable Minister of Educa-

tion of the State of Karnataka, Minister Ramachandra Gowda to be

here is an honour and pleasure that your government is here to attend

this important ceremony.

Together with you today, members of Parliament from many countries are witnessing another unique

example of democracy, that one of the Tibetans in exile. During these long 50 years, the Tibetan diaspora

decided to be inspired by freedom and democracy, something unfortunately the Tibetans living in Tibet

cannot yet afford. I have been in Dharamsala twice, and I attended proceedings of the Tibetan Parliament

in exile, I met with the elected members, I met with elected Prime minister, the Kalon Tripa and I met

with several people experimenting an incredible unique initiative of democracy in exile.

This has not happened very often. Many people that are frustrated, many people that are humiliated by

violent regimes and dictatorships, they choose violence and revenge. The Tibetans, you chose peaceful

way of resolving confl ict and you chose freedom and democracy, and you decided to build democratic

institutions. It is something really that we have to learn. We still have to learn from you. So you really

made something different. And then when we are witnessing this experiment, we recognized something

very familiar, Executive power separated by Legislative power, your hard work for preserving your

unique heritage, culture and religion. This is really extraordinary.

But we are here also for some really clear goals. We are here for asking the Chinese leadership to resume

direct dialogue with the Tibetan government in exile. We strongly support the Memorandum for a Genu-

ine Autonomy of Tibet that you presented to the Chinese government. We support your Middle Way

approach. But we also ask the government of People’s Republic of China to halt the cultural genocide

in Tibet, to end forced immigration, to respect the fundamental human rights, to stop the militarization

of Tibet, to stop deforestation and environmental destruction, to stop violence and to free the political

prisoners.

As every human being, the Tibetans also have the right to profess their religion, to learn their language

at school, to live in dignity and freedom. These are the reasons why the Italian Parliament voted several

resolutions over the years supporting His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the people of Tibet. Really, thank

you again for what you are doing. And as my Canadian friend said, I want to make an imitation of what

he said before. Thukcheje. Bod Gyalo. Thanks again. Freedom for Tibet.

51

52

Honorable Son Chhay, Member of Parliament, Cambodia.

Your Holiness, Honourable Parliamentarians, children of Tibet, La-

dies and Gentlemen. It is both sad and proud day for the Tibetan

people as they celebrate today 50 years of democracy and it also

means 50 years of suffering. It is too long for the general people of

Tibet, who have to endure under the brutal occupation of communist

China. Yet today, because of your great culture and Buddhist legacy

you have survived and under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai

Lama, continue to live in dignity and courage.

If I compare the Tibetans with that of the Cambodian people who

have suffered under the Khmer Rouge regime, a regime which was

also supported by China’s brutal policy, the Cambodian people them-

selves have previously come close to extinction.

How can we as the global community continue to turn a blind eye to

the crime against humanity that the regime in Beijing have committed and continue to commit on the

Tibetan people, the world leaders must fi nd an effective measure to protect the right of self determination

of the Tibetan people.

As a Cambodian delegate representing the group of Cambodian parliamentarians, I would like to take this

opportunity to congratulate the Tibetan Parliament in exile on the occasion of celebrating the 50 year an-

niversary of the founding of democracy in exile for your great achievement in serving the Tibetan people

and protecting your rich traditions and culture.

This has given hope to all Tibetans in exile as well as those still having to endure the Chinese occupa-

tion in Tibet. It has also given the world a unique and enduring legacy which we cannot afford to lose.

As a Cambodian, I pray here today that a day will come soon rather than later where you will once again

prevail as a sovereign nation on Tibetan soil. Congratulations again.

53

Honorable Csaba Sogor, Member of European Parliament Tibet Inter-Group,

Romania.

Your Holiness, Your Excellencies, Dear friends, Tashi Delek. I am very hon-

oured to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day here with

you today. But I am also here to celebrate not just the last 50 years but the last

500 or last 1000 years of your history.

I am a Hungarian coming from Romania, and 160 year ago, one compa-

triot of my region left his homeland to fi nd the ancient Hungarian homeland

somewhere in Tibet. He never

reached Tibet but he travelled 23 years. He learnt your language and he made

the fi rst Tibetan-English Dictionary. Alexander Csomo de koros is his name.

Through him everybody in Romania especially the Hungarians know about

your history, about your language, about your struggle for democracy, freedom and autonomy. So I am

here on behalf of these 1.5 million Hungarians and I am bringing their greetings, admiration, support and

love.

We minorities from all over the world have two great values. One; that is we can always transform our

enemies into our friends. And the second is that if we don’t succeed in our way to reach our goals we

always fi nd new ways.

In the last 20 years, in Romania there have seen a lot of changes. We passed the communist sys-

tem, and in the last 20 years, we did not succeed to get back our autonomy. But we decided to rule our

whole country. So my party is in the Romanian government, in the Romanian Parliament and through

me, also in the European Parliament. And may be in a few years, we will have a Hungarian in the chair

of the Romanian President. Why not? The Americans succeeded. It took them 200 years to have an Afro-

American President. I am deeply convinced that once this your government in exile will be a member

of the Chinese government. And your Parliament will be a member of the Chinese Parliament. And why

54

not? In the not far future, the President of the Republic of China could be a Tibetan.

We appreciate very much your struggle for human rights, for democracy, freedom and autonomy. And we

appreciate you, your Holiness, your peaceful mission in the world. We wish you long life. And we wish

all of you, power, faith and patience. And also we wish open mind to our Chinese friends to realize that

Autonomous Tibet will strengthen the democracy in China. Democracy means autonomy for the minori-

ties. Democracy means abolishing death penalty too.

And we pray and we wish our Chinese friends to start dialogue which has been interrupted. And

I hope that you will invite us all to celebrate in Tibet the existence of a free government, parliament and

an autonomous Tibetan land. Keep on fi ghting peacefully for democracy, freedom, human rights and au-

tonomy. But in the meantime, never forget to pray. To pray each day to god for the freedom. Thukjeche,

Bod Gyalo

55

Ms. Alexandra Derrington Clark, senior staff representing Honorable Edward

McMillan Scott, the Vice-President of the European Parliament.

Tashi Delek. Your Holiness. I am here to speak on behalf of Edward

McMillan Scott, MEP and Vice-President of the European Parliament

responsible for human rights and democracy.

Your Holiness, I have long campaigned on behalf of those suppressed

and persecuted peoples around the world particularly with regards to

religious freedom. Through my many years as a politician, I have wit-

nessed appalling abuses of human rights but none more so by China’s

despotic communist party and its agencies, which I believe to be most

tyranical regime in world history.

The persecution of the people of Tibet, as well as Falung Gong prac-

titioners, Uighurs and other groups in China itself is continuing on an

unprecedented scale, and because of the Chinese Communist Party’s

complete control of the media, this is going largely unnoticed by the international community. In certain

cases, the persecution amounts to genocide in terms of the international convention. I continue to believe

in a day that His Holiness will return to his homeland which I visited in 1996. I was struck by the beauty

of this ancient country yet also saddened by the very visible Chinese occupation, and appalled by their

treatment of the Tibetan people.

The European Union was founded on the principles of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. And

it is our duty to work together to end the persecution of the Tibetan people. The imprisonment and torture

of those whose only crime is the practice of traditional life style. Tibetan Buddhism is culturally unique

from Chinese culture. We cannot afford to let this further eroded by methods such as social exclusion

and the prohibiting of worship. We must consider the future of the children, growing up in a country with

a history, their history, which is rich in tradition, which are their birthright. On this issue, the European

Union must adhere to ideas that the human rights are the cornerstone of any society. The present global

56

fi nancial situation must not overshadow the founding principles of the EU.

We live in an age dominated by terror. In many countries, people live in fear of terrorist attacks. In many

others, citizens are turning to terrorism to fi ght their cause. Fear breeds more fear and it is a cycle from

which it is diffi cult to escape. This is why I called on those near and far to look toward the example that

His Holiness has set us. He chose non-violence over violence and the Middle Way over extremism.

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the Indian government who provided

refuge and support to the many Tibetans gathered here today. I call for a Free Tibet, and I pledge my

continuing support to His Holiness and all the Tibetan people that their plight remains high on the agenda

in the European Parliament and across our democratic and free continent and aspirations of the people of

Asia. Tashi Delek

57

Honorable Thomas Mann, Co-Chair INPaT working group and the president

of the European Parliament Tibet Inter-Group.

Tashi Delek. I think we can be happy because it is the last of all our

speeches. I am very proud of all those speeches of my colleagues

from different countries. Competent speeches, involving speeches

and I think very important speeches.

Your Holiness, dear colleagues of the Kashag, dear Tibetan friends,

the children, the monks and the nuns, the parents, and many people

who used the opportunity to be here to celebrate very important day

and I have the honour to share with you this big event of inspiration,

of interesting teachings and lectures. I think we have learnt a little

bit. I hope so.

And of course, also we have the opportunity to do it in a political way,

the 50th anniversary of the Tibetan democracy day and of course the

establishment of the Tibetan institution in exile. As the President of Tibet Intergroup of European Parlia-

ment and the Co-chair of the International Network of Parliamentarians on Tibet, I am glad to be part

of this very important demonstration of solidarity with the Tibetan people, with your fi ght for religious

freedom, the preservation of the cultural heritage, your sovereign language, your free education, also all

the opportunities to have employment, to use the language and of course, the protection of the environ-

ment especially on the unique high plateau.

Very often we have conferences concerning these subjects. We support all your remarkable initiatives

from the 17 Point Agreement until the Memorandum of Genuine Autonomy in November 2008. And we

always share the position of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Middle Way, the dialogue and the non-

58

violent political situation. This is a model also for the future.

In the Tibet Intergroup in the European Parliament, we are more than 110 members of the Parliament

from 27 countries. We tabled 55 resolutions since 1989. His Holiness the Dalai Lama had the opportunity

to visit us very often in the European Parliament. I remember very well his fi rst speech in front of the

plenary in Strasbourg in 2001. I remember very well his visit in Brussels in 2006. And of course in 2008

again in Brussels, he had a speech in front of all the parliamentarians and the international society. We

supported him by a fasting campaign. It was good for European bodies and it was also good for European

minds. No doubt.

I think we have all the opportunities to do little bit more. On the European stage, we have a budget. We

save money for the program, investing in people. We support the civil society, projects for Tibetans, in

China and also here in exile. And of course, we remember very often, the demand of a Special Coordina-

tor of European Union on Tibet.

In 2009, we organised a very important exhibition of Art for the Dalai Lama. Just now it is a worldwide

exhibition. In March 2010, we had the opportunity to show all the fl ags. Our fl ags campaign on hundreds

of desks of Parliamentarians. We could show the Tibetan fl ag during our plenary session in Strasbourg.

And in June this year, we had the fi rst meeting of INPaT working group in Brussels. We will strengthen

our connections between the Parliamentarians. We will learn from each other. We will coordinate better

and also we will try to inform the international media about all our successes, which we have done. And

we will improve our communications including the young ones, including the NGOs, and including all

the people who are fi ghters for human rights. We started in Rome in Italy. We continued in Brussels.

And here in Bylakuppe we have a very important resolution. Nobody voted against, all the people were

in favour.

We will continue as Parliamentarians with concrete initiatives to put the Tibetan questions always on the

political agenda. We demand the Chinese government to stop their never-ending blockage. So we have

to make it very clear. And in the end, let us show the Tibetan fl ag in all our parliaments, on the roofs of

all our buildings. Show the fl ags also in the streets not only while demonstrations. Long live the Dalai

Lama, Save Tibet, Tashi Delek.

59

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