Kalon Tempa Tsering, Jetsun Pema receive Honourary Citizenship in Italy
Tuesday, 28 January 2008, 12:40 p.m.
Kalon Tempa Tsering and Jetsun Pema with mayors of the Vicenza municipalities with Mayor Maria Rita Busetti at the centre |
Thiene, Italy: Kalon Tempa
Tsering, representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in India and
Jetsun Pema, His Holiness the Dalai Lamaïž’s younger sister and Chairman
of the Tibetan Childrenïž’s Village, were conferred Honorary Citizenship
by Mrs Maria Rita Busetti, the Mayor of Thiene Municipality, a city in
the Northern Italian province of Vicenza.
They are honoured jointly by fourteen municipalities in the
province of Vicenza that are involved internationally in a peace
promoting body called (H)elp. (H)elp has been active in promoting many
peace related initiatives and practical solidarity in different parts
of the world. This year they are dedicated to Tibet.
The fourteen municipalities recognise that Tibetan people, like
any another people of world, has the same right to self-determination
and, civil and religious rights. Mayors of all the fourteen
municipalities were present at the ceremony.
(H)elp conferred the Honorary citizenship to Jestun Pema and
Tempa Tsering in recognition of their important role that is
internationally relevant by taking care of their nation, to education
of thousands of Tibetan refugee children and therefore the future of
their nation.
Jetsun Pema speaks at the official ceremony |
In her speech, Jetsun Pema thanked the dignitaries and
said, “At this critical time for Tibetans, as refugee, receiving such
supports is very encouraging for us. Your support to us does send a
message to China. I deeply appreciate the solidarity of (H)elp in
different parts of world and I ask you to continue to help Tibetan
Children in future.”
“We thank for this honorary citizenship and recognition of the
rights of Tibetans and showing support to us. Such support to us
doesnïž’t mean that it is an anti-Chinese, but it shows that you are pro
justice, pro truth and pro peace,” Mr Tempa Tsering noted in his
acceptance speech.
The fourteen municipalities also called for the recognition of
the legitimacy of the Central Tibetan Administration based in the
Northern Indian town of Dharamsala, and unanimously called upon the
external ministry of the Italian Government to support the non-violent
struggle of Tibetan people for freedom.
As part of the visit, Kalon Tempa and Jetsun Pema attended a
public forum on “Human Rights in China” with human rights experts from
Padova University. They also took time meeting school students of
Thiene city. Cultural activities was also organised in the town to
coincide with their visit.
Source: Phayul and based on report filed by Tibetan Community Italy