Inter-Parliamentary Group for Tibet Established in the Federal Belgian Parliament
Brussels,(Belgium) 18 November: An Inter-parliamentary Group for Tibet was officially established in the Federal Belgian Parliament yesterday comprising members from all the major national political parties. An inaugural function was held in the Parliament in the presence of Representative from the Office of Tibet, Brussels, to mark the formation of the group.
In his press briefing, Mr. Walter Muls, Chairman of the group, described the primary goals as being to promote broader international recognition to the Tibetan problem specially aimed at improving the respect for the human rights in Tibet; drawing the attention to the unresolved issue of Tibet in the dialogue between the European countries and China; working together with other inter-parliamentary Tibet Groups in the European countries and the EP Tibet Intergroup to support the creation of the position of a “Coordinator for Tibetan issue” in the EU which would actively encourage the dialogue between His Holiness the Dalai Lama or his representatives with People’s Republic of China; urging the EU and the member state governments to use the present contacts between the EU and the Chinese government as means to encourage the PRC leadership to strive further its contacts with representatives of the Dalai lama in order to promote a rapid and lasting peaceful solution to the Tibetan problem.
He further said “the Inter-parliamentary Group for Tibet intends to thoroughly address the Tibetan problem and place its suggestions on the agenda of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Through such efforts, the Belgian Government can, together with the European countries and the EU, take further steps in supporting the Tibetan people’s self-determination and the recognition of the Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala as the singular and legitimate representative of the Tibetan people”.
Mr. Migyur Dorjee, on behalf of the Office of Tibet, thanked the members for their support and said that the political goals set by the group are in line with the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people. He further stated that in the light of serious problem of terrorism and political violence confronted daily the parliamentarians’ support to the non-violence and peaceful struggle of the Tibetan people would set an example for others. As a token of the Tibetan people’s appreciation, Mr. Dorjee offered traditional Tibetan scarf to each members of the group. The inaugural function ended with a reception hosted by the Office of Tibet in honour of the members of the new group, guests and media people.
The function was also attended by the representatives from the Belgian Tibetan community and the Belgian Tibet Support Group.
Report Courtesy – OoT, Brussels