Brussels: MEP Isabel Santos (S&D) from Portugal and Mr Samuel Cogolati, member of Federal Parliament of Belgium addressed the Tibetan commemoration of March 10 in Brussels.

Ms Santos, a member of Tibet Interest Group (TIG) in the European Parliament,  declared that we were gathered to remember the brave Tibetans who had risen against China in 1959. She further said that it was not enough just to remember them but we must continue their fight.

Earlier Mr Cogolati said that he was in support of Tibet because he felt human rights should be the cornerstone of the world today. He also said he had a special affinity for Tibetans since he belongs to Huy, of which he is a city councillor, and where His Holiness the Dalai Lama had visited five times.

Mr Cogolati, Ecolo/Green, assured that he was committed to the protection of the Tibetan environment as a Green Party member. He announced that he was going to raise the issue of the Tibetan environment with Belgian government later that afternoon in the parliament.

Representative Tashi Phuntsok in his address thanked both of them for their support. He pointed out that it was because of their support that President Dr Sangay in his official statement had thanked the Belgian government on its policy on the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This was facilitated by MP Cogolati’s question in the federal parliament.

Similarly, Dr Sangay had thanked MEPs for re-establishing Tibet Interest Group in the European Parliament. Mr Mekulas Peksa from the Czech Republic and Ms Santos and others have been instrumental in this with the Office of Tibet, Brussels facilitating the advocacy.

He said that Tibet is alive and not dead even after 60 years of Chinese brutal oppression. It is because of the steadfast commitment of Tibetans in Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s leadership, the Central Tibetan Administration and the support of governments, parliaments and civil societies around the world.

Before the commemoration marched in procession towards the Chinese Embassy, it was addressed by Mr Phurbu Dhondup, Tibetan Community leader. Mr Vincent Martin of ICT, representatives from civil societies Lungta and UNPO also spoke to express their support and solidarity.

The Commemoration at the Schuman Place in front of the European Union was organized by the Tibetan Community in Belgium and seven other Tibetans organisations. The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), Belgium, actively facilitated it, as it has been doing it every year.
-Filed by Office of Tibet, Brussels