Dharamshala: A delegation from ICT Germany’s board of directors visited the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, meeting with Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang on 25th October 2024.
The delegation was received with ceremonial Tibetan scarves by the Deputy Speaker and taken on a tour of the parliament hall, where they were briefed on the evolution, composition, and functioning of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. The Deputy Speaker also provided clarification to their queries.
Thereafter, a meeting was held in the Standing Committee’s hall with the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, and the delegation from ICT Germany. Welcoming the guests, the Speaker shared the Central Tibetan Administration’s vision of resolving the Sino-Tibetan conflict through a non-violent approach and caring for the welfare of the Tibetan diaspora.
He further emphasized the significance of Tibet’s supporters until a resolution to the Sino-Tibetan conflict is achieved, quoting His Holiness the Dalai Lama that “supporting Tibet is supporting truth,” and urged their continued support for the just cause of Tibet.
Speaking about the previous and upcoming World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet (WPCT), the Speaker appealed for continued collaboration between the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and the International Campaign for Tibet.
Following the Speaker’s address, the Deputy Speaker expressed her honor in receiving them at the parliament and extended her heartfelt gratitude to the Tibet supporters for their valuable contribution to the cause of Tibet.
The Deputy Speaker underscored the significance of Tibet’s plateau and its fragile environment and rivers for the world, which are being destroyed through unbridled exploitation by the Chinese government. She emphasized that this environmental destruction could be irreversible if not addressed promptly.
Other important issues discussed included the historical fact of Tibet being an independent nation which served as a buffer between two Asian giants – India and China. The discussion also covered human rights violations, political repression, economic and social marginalization, self-immolation of Tibetans protesting the illegal Chinese occupation, and the situation of Tibetans in Tibet, where their very identity is threatened by strategically adopted Chinese policies.
The group included:
- Sabine Bömmer: Chairwoman of ICT-Germany, a founding member since 2002, and a long-time Tibet supporter. She also serves on the International Coordination Council of the International Campaign for Tibet and is a journalist for a German banking association
- Namri Dagyab: Board member of ICT-Germany
- Dr. Jan Andersson: Honorary board member and founding member of ICT-Germany, involved with ICT Europe and the Swedish Tibet Committee, and a long-time friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
- Katerina Bursikova: Board member of ICT-Germany, chairwoman of Czechs Support Tibet, and a Czech Foreign Affairs staffer
- Martin Bursik: Board member of ICT-Europe, Czechs Support Tibet, and former Czech environment minister and Vice Premier
- Christoph Schnitger: Member of ICT-Germany and husband of Prof. Dr. Andersson
- Noemi Bursikova: Daughter of Martin and Katerina Bursik
- Till Bömmer: Son of Sabine Bömmer
- Kai Müller: Executive Director of ICT-Germany
