New Delhi — A delegation from the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile led by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel in New Delhi to raise Tibetan issues and urge Indian MPs to "recognise Tibet as an occupied nation, acknowledge Tibet's independent and sovereign past backed by historical evidence, and affirm the Tibetan people's right to self-determination under international law".
The delegation from the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, led by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and comprising deputies Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tsetan, Lopon Thupten Gyaltsen, Tsaneytsang Dhondup Tashi, Geshe Ngaba Gangri, Geshe Atong Rinchen Gyaltsen and Tsering Yangchen, began a campaign to advocate Tibet in New Delhi, India, which will continue until August 9 2024.
The members of the delegation,divided into two groups, the first group was led by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and consisted of MP Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tseten and MP Tsaneytsang Dhondup Tashi, and the second group was consisted of MP Lopon Thupten Gyaltsen, MP Geshe Ngaba Gangri, MP Geshe Atong Rinchen Gyaltsen and MP Tsering Yangchen. The delegation was accompanied by Tashi Dekyi, Acting Coordinator of India Tibet Coordination Office; Tenzin Paljor and Tenzin Sherab, staff of Tibetan parliamentary secretariat; and Phuntsok Gyatso, Delhi based coordinator of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
The Tibetan parliamentary delegation met with seven Indian MPs from different political parties of four states on August 7, 2024. The first group met with Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste, Member of Lok Sabha (BJP, Madhya Pradesh and Former Union Minister of State, Ministry of Steel); Shri Pradip Kumar Varma, Member of Rajya Sabha (BJP, Jharkhand); Shri Deepak Prakash, Member of Rajya Sabha (BJP, Jharkhand); Smt. Bansuri Swaraj, Member of Lok Sabha (BJP, Delhi); and Shri R. K. Khrimey, National convener for Core Group for Tibetan-Cause.
The second group met with Shri N.K. Premachandran, Member of Lok Sabha (Revolutionary Socialist Party, Kerala); Shri Birendra Prasad Baishya, Member of Rajya Sabha (Asom Gana Parishad, Assam); and Shri Phani Bhusan Choudhury, Member of Lok Sabha (Asom Gana Parishad, Assam).
The delegation also visited the Delhi Vidhan Sabha where they were warmly received and hosted by Shri. Ram Niwas Goel, Speaker of Delhi Vidhan Sabha (AAP) and Shri Madan Lal, MLA Delhi (AAP).
During their meetings, the delegation highlighted the cordial relationship shared by India and Tibet grounded in geographical, cultural, and religious ties while focusing on the increasing China’s expansionist and aggressive policies and the need of holding the Chinese government accountable for its actions.
The delegation highlighted China’s policies designed to eradicate Tibetan language and culture, detailing its increasing efforts to assimilate Tibetan identity into the dominant Han culture. This includes the forced placement of children as young as six in boarding schools, compulsory mass DNA collection, and the recent closure of Tibetan institutions such as the Gangjong Sherig Norbu Lobling (Jigme Gyaltsen Nationalities Vocational School) in Golok, as well as the Ngaba Kirti and Lhamo Kirti Monasteries in Tibet.
Moreover, the delegation brought the attention over to 157 self-immolation of Tibetans protesting the PRC’s harsh policies and calling for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s return and Tibet’s freedom since 2009, especially highlighted the Tibetan people’s commitment to nonviolent resistance despite severe repression, reiterating Tibetan people’s inalienable right to self-determination under international law.
They highlighted the Middle Way Policy of the Central Tibetan Administration, a mutually beneficial way to peacefully resolve the Sino-Tibet conflict and promote stability and coexistence between Tibetans and Chinese, followed by the nine rounds of talks between Tibetan and Chinese representatives from 2002 to 2010.
The delegation made the following twelve-point appeals to Indian MPs and the Government.
- Recognise Tibet as an occupied nation.
- Acknowledge Tibet’s independent and sovereign past, supported by historical evidence.
- Affirm the Tibetan people’s right to self-determination under international law.
- Reject China’s false narrative by avoiding labels such as “minority,” refraining from calling Tibet’s occupation an internal issue, and not proclaiming Tibet as part of China. Such stances support China’s colonization and subjugation of Tibetans, limiting Tibetans ability to negotiate for genuine freedom.
- Urge the People’s Republic of China to engage in substantive dialogue with representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, or democratically elected leaders of the Tibetan community without preconditions, aiming to resolve the Tibet-China conflict through the Middle Way Policy and seek genuine autonomy within the PRC’s constitution.
- Climate Change Research: Call upon the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to initiate scientific studies on the PRC’s exploitation of Tibet’s natural resources and its adverse effects on global climate change.
- Human Rights Monitoring: Pressure China to grant independent human rights organizations access to monitor and report on the human rights situation in Tibet. Additionally, extend standing invitations to UN Special Rapporteurs, especially those focusing on freedoms of opinion and expression, peaceful assembly and association, and human rights defenders, to facilitate their visits to Tibet as soon as possible.
- Release of Tibetan Political Prisoners: Urge the PRC government to unconditionally release all Tibetan political prisoners, including Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, whose whereabouts and well-being have been unknown since May 17, 1995.
- Halt Oppressive Policies: Call on the PRC to cease its oppressive policies aimed at eradicating Tibetan culture, language, and religion.
- Human Rights and Tibet-China Conflict: Frame the human rights situation in Tibet within the broader context of the unresolved Tibet-China conflict. Encourage world leaders to express concern over human rights violations and religious repression in Tibet, and advocate for the adoption of a Magnitsky Act to sanction Chinese officials responsible for these abuses.
- Legislative Framework Against Authoritarianism and Disinformation: Establish a national legislative framework to combat China’s networked authoritarianism and disinformation campaigns, which erode public trust in democratic institutions, increase political polarization, and threaten regional and global stability.
- Strengthen Diplomatic Engagement: Expand and deepen official and diplomatic relations with the Central Tibetan Administration, which upholds the legacy of the former government of independent Tibet and serves as the legitimate representative of the Tibetan people.
