Tibetan exile administration begins solidarity movement

Phayul[Tuesday, October 18, 2011 19:39]

By Tendar Tsering 35 Tibetan lawmakers began a 24-hour hunger fast in the Indian capital New Delhi led by Speaker Penpa Tsering (l) and Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel (r) on October 18, 2011. DHARAMSHALA, October 18: A group of 35 Tibetan parliamentarians are currently sitting on a 24-hour hunger fast in the Indian capital city of New Delhi. Led by Speaker Penpa Tsering and Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, the Tibetan lawmakers are marking a day’s protest in the heart of the national capital to show solidarity with the sacrifices being made by Tibetans inside Tibet under the banner of Tibetan Solidarity Movement. "35 Tibetan parliamentarians are observing fast in Delhi and other parliamentarians are leading solidarity campaigns in other regional areas," said B. Tsering, a spokesperson for the movement. The recently announced Tibetan Solidarity Movement is a joint campaign of the Kashag (cabinet) and the Tibetan Parliament in Exile to express solidarity and grave concern over the deteriorating situation inside Tibet since 2008, particularly, the recent tragic acts of self -immolation. Prior to the fast, Tibetan parliamentary delegations visited numerous embassies in the capital and met with political and spiritual leaders, lobbying for support for the grievances raised by Tibetans inside Tibet. The fasting parliamentarians will also lead a candle light vigil later in the day at Jantar Mantar in memory of the nine Tibetans who have self immolated since March this year. As part of the movement, around 3000 Tibetans from all over India and Nepal will take part in the Global Solidarity Fast at Rajghat tomorrow followed by a peace march led by Tibetan Monks and Nuns. The massive protests are planned till Friday, but it might continue depending on the situation inside Tibet. A Tibetan parliamentary delegation met with Yashwant Sinha, former union Finance Minister and senior BJP leader in New Delhi as part of raising support for the grievances of the Tibetans inside Tibet. Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting in Dharamshala, last Friday, Kalon Tripa Dr Sangay said that the “Tibetan parliament and Kashag will continue to have dialogue on what else to do in weeks and months to come”. Addressing the press earlier today, Speaker Penpa Tsering urged the People's Republic of China to review its existing policies in Tibet in order to fulfil the aspirations of the Tibetan people for a “truly harmonious society”. "We are gravely concerned about the deteriorating situation inside Tibet that has driven the Tibetans to such desperate acts," Tsering told reporters following the fiery death of a 20-year old nun Tenzin Wangmo in Ngaba, eastern Tibet yesterday. “The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile urges the UN to call on China to genuinely uphold the international human rights standards and allow international independent fact-finding delegations and media to visit Tibet and in particularly Kirti monastery, the nerve centre of the recent self-immolations."