Tibetan Parliament express gratitude to INPaT for raising Tibet issue [Wednesday, 30 June 2010, 2:17 p.m.]
Dharamshala: The
Tibetan Parliament in Exile sent letters to Honourable Mr. Matteo
Meccaci, MP Italy and Honourable Mr. Thomas Mann, MEP Germany,
Co-Chairs of the newly established International Network of
Parliamentarians on Tibet (INPaT) expressing gratitude for having
raised issues of Tibet with the World leaders and for having urged the
leaders of G8 countries to take a proactive role in achieving a
negotiated solution to the crisis in Tibet through dialogue between the
Chinese government and the Dalai Lama’s envoys. In a letter to
Prime Minister of Canada, INPaT strongly appreciated the concerns of
Canada on the issue of Tibet. The letter categorically stated that the
Dalai Lama’s Middle Way Approach seeks to secure genuine autonomy for
the Tibetan people within the scope of the constitution of the People’s
Republic of China, based on the mutual benefit and long-term interest
of the Tibetan and Chinese people. The Parliamentarians also urged
multilateral co-operation in protecting Tibet’s fragile environment,
highly critical to the rest of Asia and the world. Dolma
Gyari, Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, said: “We are
encouraged by the unwavering support of INPaT. Since 2008, seven
members of the G8 have already expressed support for the dialogue
between the PRC government and representatives of His Holiness the
Dalai Lama to resolve the ongoing differences. I believe that G8 and
G20 leaders have far more concrete support to offer to bring more
effectiveness in resolving the issue of Tibet peacefully through
dialogue”.INPaT has urged G20 leaders to consider the proposals : 1.To
undertake independent, International scientific assessments of the
changes in the Tibetan Plateau’s ecosystems, water resources and land
use policies. The participation of scientists and relevant stakeholders
from Tibet and those nations that depend on Tibet’s water resource
which is necessary for examination, analysis and interpretation of
conditions on the plateau. This will facilitate an equitable and
durable approach to adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate
change in the region, including ecosystem restoration and management of
the plateau’s grasslands and forests.2.To integrate the
participation of Tibetans, especially nomads, in the decision-making
and management of the plateau’s natural resources. Their experience is
essential not only for understanding ecosystem changes, but also for
addressing the threats of desertification and erosion. Government
policies removing nomads from the grasslands are a misguided attempt to
reduce desertification. There is scientific evidence that nomads’
management of the grasslands facilitates ecosystem stewardship and
helps restore areas already degraded. 3. To encourage
multilateral collaborative decision-making and governance of the
Tibetan plateau’s water resources, including all regional and local
stakeholders. Such cooperation will enhance the effectiveness of
mitigation policies and promote equitable adaptation strategies that
can reduce the risk of conflict over competition for water resources. International
Network of Parliamentarians on Tibet first convened in Rome last
November during the Fifth World Parliamentarians’ Convention on Tibet
which is being represented by around 133 parliamentarians from 30
different parliaments around the world. The International Campaign for
Tibet has been designated as the Secretariat of the network.–Report filed by Tenzin Norbu, TPiE Secretariat
