Paris: Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel concluded a fruitful three-nation European tour in Paris on 24 November.
On 22 November, the Speaker was received by the Tibet Group in the French Senate for a working breakfast. Despite ongoing Committee meetings in the same morning and having finished their Committee work the previous night, the Senators found time to meet and exchange with the Speaker.
During the meeting, the Speaker briefed them on the critical situation in Tibet where basic human rights of the Tibetan people are being continuously violated by the Chinese authorities with impunity.
He also drew the attention of the Senators on the dramatic deterioration of the Tibetan environment, massive population transfer with the construction of the railway line connecting Chengdu and Lhasa and the spate of self-immolation protests in Tibet. And since 2019 will mark 70 years of occupation of Tibet by China and 60 years of His Holiness’ arrival into exile, the Speaker urged them to actively support and engage in resolving the non-violent struggle of the Tibetan people.
Speaker called on the Tibet Group in the French National Assembly for a working lunch. The President Madame Toutut-Picard received him and other members of the group later joined them. They discussed the most critical issues of concern and effective ways to address them.
On 23 November, Speaker met with Ms Cécile Coudriou, President of Amnesty International, France, and her colleague responsible for China. They engaged in an hour-long candid and constructive discussion.
The Parliamentarians and representatives of the International NGO re-assured the Speaker of their continued support and strong commitment despite intense pressure from China.
Speaker arrived in Paris by Thalys, the French-Belgian high-speed train, on 21 November where he was accorded a warm reception by the staff of Bureau du Tibet, Paris, and Tibetan Community leaders in France.
After successfully concluding the three Nation European Tour on Saturday, Speaker departed for India on 24 November.
-Filed by Bureau du Tibet, Paris