Vilnius: The Parliamentary Group for Relations with Tibet in Seimas, the parliament of the Republic of Lithuania welcomed Tibetan Parliamentarians Geshe Lharampa Gowo Lobsang Pende and Wangdue Dorjee to the parliament of Lithuania on the last day of the outgoing parliament on 12 November 2024. This visit coincided with the period of political transition here following the recent elections with a new look parliament and a potential change in government. The outgoing chair of the Tibet group, Andrius Navickas, presided over the last meeting of this group by welcoming the two Tibetan parliamentarians and the Secretary of the Office of Tibet, London, to their seats. Arunas Valinskas MP and Matas Maldeikis MP, both of whom were reelected, and outgoing members Kestutis Navickas MP (former Minister for Agriculture) and Monica Navickiene MP attended the meeting, with local Tibet supporters also present. The chair recalled with pride the various programs and events organised by the group for Tibet advocacy in the past four years and expressed his hope that the new group would be reestablished in the new parliament under Arunas Valinskas at the helm while assuring the full cooperation of the outgoing members. Valinskas spoke about his hopes for the next four years and assured his continued support for Tibet, raising the optimism of those present in the room. All the parliamentarians present welcomed the Tibetan guests and explained that it has been an honour and pleasure working for the just cause of Tibet. The visit of the Tibetan parliamentarians to Seimas was reported in a couple of local online media outlets based on the press release for the visit issued ahead of the visit.

Thanking the Lithuanian MPs on the group for their support during their parliamentary term, the Tibetan parliamentarians and Secretary Kunga drew the attention of the meeting attendees to the Chinese government’s repression of religious freedom, sinicisation of Tibetan Buddhism and politicisation of the reincarnation system with the aim of exerting authority over the selection of the next Dalai Lama. “The placement of close to a million Tibetan children, separated from their parents and families, in Chinese colonial style boarding schools, is a deliberate attempt by the Chinese government to erase the unique Tibetan identity and culture,” remarked Geshe Lharampa Gowo Lobsang Pende with concern and urged everyone to extend their continued support. Dorjee spoke about the objective of the Europe Tibet Advocacy trips, like this one, his admiration for the support of the people of Lithuania for the Tibetan people and concluded by extending an invitation to the reelected members to attend the next WPCT and further strengthen the advocacy for Tibet in the future.

Recalling His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s first visit to Lithuania with much gratitude and appreciation, Professor Vytis Vidunas, Director of the House of Tibet and long-time Tibet supporter, explained that His Holiness’ visit helped bring Lithuania to the global stage, urged everyone to help Tibet’s cause. His words aptly captured the respect and admiration the people of Lithuania held in their hearts for His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama.

After arriving in Vilnius on Sunday, the Tibetan parliamentarians began their official visit with a breakfast meeting on Monday with Dainius Žalimas, a Member of the European Parliament, where the Tibetan parliamentarians thanked Žalimas for making time for this meeting. Explaining that their visit formed part of the Tibetan Parliament’s Europe Tibet Advocacy outreach, the Tibetan parliamentarians urged Žalimas to use his office and influence to help initiate discussion and debate on Tibet in the European Parliament. Žalimas assured his continued support for Tibet and committed to doing the best possible to help establish the Tibet Intergroup in the European Parliament by working with like-minded MEPs. As for Tibet support in Lithuania, Žalimas reiterated his assistance to the local Tibet Support Group in organising Tibet awareness events locally.

After the breakfast meeting, long-time Tibet supporters and important members of the local Tibet Support Group, Professor Vytis Vidunas and Robertas Mazeika, accompanied the Tibetan parliamentarians to the unique and historic Tibet Square – a symbol of Lithuanian solidarity with the Tibetan people. The Tibet Square was opened in 2010 and is a space blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama with his visits there. His Holiness last visited the square in 2018 and planted a tree to symbolise the friendship between the peoples of Lithuania and Tibet.

Later that evening, at a reception organised by the Office of Tibet, London, at Uzupis Cafe, near Tibet Square, the Tibetan parliamentarians used the time to meet and greet long-time local Tibet supporters. Despite being a weekday, about 15 supporters, including Kęstutis Navickas, the outgoing Minister for Agriculture, joined in. Addressing the gathering, the Tibetan parliamentarians referred to the current dire situation inside Tibet and expressed their appreciation to everyone for their individual contribution in highlighting these issues in Lithuania and urged them to always stand up for truth and justice.

The Tibetan parliamentarians will be travelling to Riga, Latvia, this evening.

-Report filed by Office of Tibet, London