Taipei, Taiwan: International Religious Freedom (IRF) Secretariat’s President Nadine Maenza-led delegation visited OoT Taiwan on 10 November. Representative Kalsang Gyaltsen Bawa updated the delegation on the repressive Chinese policy threatening Tibetan Buddhism and presented an 18-page statement in English and Chinese.
On 14 November, President Maenza, President Phu shi Chub of the Chinese Christian Aid Committee, Rev. Sudu Tada, Associate General Administrator of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan and President Yang Sen-hong and Secretary Chub Ling Ao of Taiwan Association for China Human Rights, Secretary Migyur Youdon of Office of Tibet paid a visit to President You Si Kun of the Legislative Yuan of Taiwan.
President You Si Kun apprised the delegation of the evolution of democracy in Taiwan. President Maenza extolled Taiwan’s exemplary democratic system and religious freedom and informed her visit’s purpose.
Secretary Migyur Youdon of the Office of Tibet briefed on the over 63 years of the Chinese government’s repression of religious freedom inside Tibet continuing to this day and the spate of self-immolations in protest of these violations.
In July this year, two monks, Rachung Gendun and Sonam Gyatso, from Ngapa Kirti Monastery, were arrested for sending prayer offerings to the Dalai Lama and the abbot of their monastery, both living in exile in India. They were both detained and sentenced to prison. Likewise, Tsering Lhamo from Ngapa and 68 years old Samkyi was detained, an example of the deteriorating situation inside Tibet.
She implored for support from democratic nations like the US, Taiwan and others, given the urgent situation inside Tibet and presented President You Si Kun with the publication of “Tibet has not been a part of China since ancient times” written by Mr. Liu Hancheng, a former professor of City University of Hong Kong. In response, President You Si Kun shared that he holds the Tibet situation into consideration.
The latest visit of the IRF Secretariat’s President-led delegation seeks to establish a committee under its framework and meet and interact with different religious traditions and local dignitaries.
–Filed by Office of Tibet, Taiwan