Dharamshala — The political leader of Tibetan people Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay met with the President of South Tyroll, an autonomous region of northern Italy Dr Arno Kompatscher, Thursday, at Gangchen Kyishong, the headquarter of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), marking the second time since Dr Sangay took office.
At a joint press conference at DIIR's Lhakpa Tsering memorial Hall, in Dharamshala, India, on March 10, 2017, the two leaders expressed that the "genuine autonomy" enjoyed by people of South Tyroll is "an example" for people of Tibet.
At the press conference, Dr Kompatcher, expressed his privilege at being able to come to Dharamshala to attend the official Tibetan National Uprising Day function. He said that his visit to Dharamshala is the fulfillment of a promise he made to Sikyong during their meeting in 2014 in South Tyroll.
The South Tyrolean leader further explained the autonomous administrative structure of South Tyroll and said that it could serve as an example of genuine autonomy to other marginalised communities around the world including the Tibetan people. At the same time, he clarified that their autonomy couldn't be called a 'model for everyone' as situations may differ. Dr Arno Kompatscher, however, said that genuine autonomy for Tibet is possible and he hopes it will be realised soon.
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay expressed the Central Tibetan Administration's heartfelt gratitude to South Tyroll for its continued support on the Tibet issue and for providing financial aid as well as intellectual and administrative guidance to the Tibetan administration and its staff.
"It's a great privilege and honour for us to have a person of your stature at this year's annual commemoration. The fact that you are here will send a meaningful and powerful message of hope to Tibetans inside Tibet who continue to suffer untold injustices under the Chinese government," he said.
"The genuine autonomy enjoyed by South Tyroll is an example for autonomy that the Central Tibetan Administration aims to achieve for Tibet," he added.
Dr Kompatscher who was the chief guest at the official function to commemorate 58th Tibetan National Uprising day at Tsuglagkhang tomorrow on 10 March.
Tibet was invaded by Communist China, starting in 1949, Beijing calls a "peaceful liberation". Since that time, over 1.2 million out of 6 Tibetans have been killed, over 6000 monasteries have been destroyed— the acts of murder, rape and arbitrary imprisonment, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment were inflicted on the Tibetans inside Tibet. But, authorities in China still claim that "China 'peacefully liberated' Tibet, and that the Tibetans are living in a "Maoist socialist paradise."
