London — Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the democratically elected leader of the Tibetan people, met with Rt. Hon Speaker of the House of Commons, in the Parliament House, on Tuesday, November 1, 2016.
The Speaker warmly welcomed Sikyong to the British Parliament, inquiring about his stay in the UK and recalling the time when he hosted His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Parliament. He also expressed his strong support for the non-violent and just cause of Tibet.
Later, when the Sikyong was seated in the House of Commons in the Gallery to watch a debate that was in progress on the floor of the House, the Speaker acknowledged the presence of Sikyong in the House, saying, "I acknowledge the presence in the House today of Lobsang Sangay, the Sikyong, or Prime Minister of Tibetan Government in exile. It is a privilege and honor to welcome you, Sir."
Earlier in the day, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay addressed the meeting of All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet (APPGT) in the UK Parliament, chaired by Tim Loughton, MP and attended by among others, ten Members of Parliament representing three political parties in the UK Parliament.
In his address, Sikyong mentioned about the destruction of Larung Gar, the largest Buddhist institute in the world, resulting in the forced expulsion of thousands of monks and nuns. He also touched upon the significance of Tibet, as roof of the world and source of major rivers, to the rest of Asia. He urged the MPs and Tibet supporters to stand up for the democratic ideals and principles and support restoration of freedom for Tibetans.
In the afternoon Sikyong spoke to a house full of members of Henry Jackson Society, a think tank working to advance democracy and real human rights, chaired by Fabian Hamilton, MP (and former Chair of APPGT). He spoke on Tibetan democracy in exile and the future of Sino-Tibetan relations and his speech was well received by those present, who engaged Sikyong with a wide range of interesting questions.
