South African Parliament Thanked For Debating Tibetan Issue
[Thursday, 22 September 2010, 4:44 p.m.]
Dharamshala: The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile has praised the South African Parliament for taking up discussions on the issue of Tibet.South African MPs from opposition parties delivered four statements on Tibet, China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and invited debate in the Parliament on 14 September, which was chaired by Speaker Max Sisulu and attended by government ministers.The IFP MP Mr Mario-Ambrosini, Democratic Alliance MP Ms Santosh Vinita Kalyan and IFP leader Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi called on the governing African National Congress to give support to the seeking of a peaceful solution for the human rights abuses by the Chinese government in Tibet and the recognition of Tibet’s right to self-determination through genuine autonomy. The members also called for an invitation to His Holiness the Dalai Lama to visit South Africa.In a letter dated 22 September addressed to the three MPs, Tibetan Parliament Speaker Penpa Tsering said: “On behalf of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, I express deep gratitude for your leadership and all the 80 members of Parliament in raising the issue of Tibet in a novel way in the South African Parliament.”“The matter and the manner in which you have raised the issue of Tibet in your Parliament is noteworthy and we are very much inspired by the sense of renewed commitment that you have shouldered the issue of Tibet after attending the founding of the 50th anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day in exile at Bylakuppe, South India.”We look forward to more concrete and concerted effort to seek a lasting solution to the issue of Tibet in the future as well,” the letter noted.Also Read:MPs deliver statement on Tibet in South African Parliament
