LONDON: Twenty members of Parliament from the European countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania issued a statement of support for the Tibetan people on the occasion of the 59th Tibetan National Uprising Day on 10 March 2018.
The statement of support was issued as a tribute to the courage and resilience of the Tibetan people in continuing their freedom struggle and to support the Tibetan people in their ongoing efforts to protect their political, social, cultural and environmental rights.
They condemned the Chinese authorities’ repressive policies in Tibet and stated that they are appalled by the continued reports of the ongoing human rights violation in Tibet.
They also expressed their deep sadness at the continuing spate of self-immolation protests inside Tibet with the most recent case being that of Tsekho, a 44 year old Tibetan who set himself on fire on 7 March in Ngaba.
They further noted the Chinese government’s strict controls over access to Tibet, making it one the most closed places on earth. They said that China should grant independent observers, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, immediate and unhindered access to Tibet to assess the human rights situation on the ground.
They also called on their respective governments and the European Union to urge China to release all Tibetan political prisoners including the 11th Panchen Rinpoche, Tashi Wangchuk, Lobsang Jamyang, Lobsang Kunchok, Dolma Kyab, Karma Samdrup, Yeshi Choedon and Bonko Kyi among others.
They expressed support for the Middle Way Approach of the Central Tibetan Administration and asked the Chinese government to begin meaningful dialogue with the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to resolve to the longstanding issue of Tibet.