Brussels — Nyima Lhamo, niece of the late Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, testified in the Human Rights Subcommittee of the European Parliament yesterday, November 28th, 2016. The Hearing was chaired by Ms Valenciano. Accompanying Nyima Lhamo's testimony was Tenzin Sonam, EU-Human Rights Officer, and the Secretariat of the Subcommittee.
Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche was a noted Tibetan religious leader and scholar, who was arrested in 2002 on alleged charges of terrorism and sentenced to life imprisonment following what human rights activists have called an unfair trial. In 2015, as his health was rapidly declining, Chinese authorities failed to release him on medical parole and he passed away while in custody.
In her 15 minutes testimony, Nyima Lhamo informed the Committee of the arrest, detention and the suspicious death of Trulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. Despite immense safety and security risks on her and her family she is committed to inform the world on the above matters and to seek support in order to prevail upon the Chinese to institute an independent investigation on the death of Trulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche.
Her testimony was received with much sympathy and dignity by the audience of almost 50. MEPs of the Subcommittee, EU Officials including Ms Deren Derya from the European External Action Service, Advisors of the Political Groups, Assistants of MEPs and members of NGOs were present.
In a special intervention by Ms Deren Derya, the EU outlined in great detail of it’s policies in general on human rights, EU-China Summit, various statements on Tibet by EU Officials, self-immolations, respect for Tibetan culture and language and Trulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. Her statement outlined that EU’s policy on China was based on “principled, practical and pragmatic staying true to its interest and values in particular adherence to International rules and norms and respect for human rights”.
Nyima Lhamo is on tour of Belgium and France from November 26 to December 15. In Belgium, her main programs are in the EU (political, religion and education directorates), in the EP (Human Rights Subcommittee, film screening hosted by MEPs of four political groups and Tibet Interest Group event), meeting with Belgian Foreign Ministry Officials, four separate meetings with Belgium Parliamentarians, International NGOs, TSGs, Tibetan Community and the Press.
This Advocacy tour is organized jointly by the Office of Tibet, Brussels, and International Campaign for Tibet, Europe.
