Tokyo: - Speaking at a conference organised by a leading Japanese think-tank, Japan Institute For National Fundamentals in Tokyo, Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay said the Central Tibetan Administration has worked tirelessly for the development of democracy for the past 50 years and will continue to put greater efforts in its endeavour.
In his speech, Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay talked about the growth of Tibetan democracy as well as about the urgent situation prevailing inside Tibet currently.
Due to the severe repression in Tibet by the Chinese government, 33 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in protest against the policies adopted by the Chinese government in Tibet, he said.
"We are all humans and life is precious to us. Nobody wants to die. So how does such a situation arise? The only reason is that they want to highlight the grim situation inside Tibet to the outside world, he asserted.
"The world community has extended their full support when a Tunisian set himself on fire. But what has happened with the crisis in Tibet. The lives of the Tibetan people are as precious as every one else," Dr Lobsang Sangay said.
"Due to the severe restrictions imposed by the Chinese government, the Tibetan people have no opportunity to practice their religion freely nor were they given equal rights when it comes to language and individual liberties," he said.
The Tibetan people inside Tibet have protested time and again, calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and the right to safeguard their religion and culture.
"And I am here to convey the aspirations and sufferings to the outside world on behalf of the Tibetans in Tibet," Kalon Tripa added.
The conference was attended by various intellectuals and professors including the former prime minister of Japan.
Earlier, Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay has addressed a group of overseas Chinese media based in Tokyo and answered questions ranging from the grim situation prevailing inside Tibet to the growth of Tibetan democracy and the need for the resumption of dialogue between the Chinese leadership and the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
