DHARAMSHALA: Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok attended the silver jubilee celebration of Gu-Chu-Sum, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to highlight Tibetan Political Prisoners Movement, at Norbu House, Mcloed Ganj on 27 September 2016. Also present at the occasion were former Kalon Rinchen Khandro, Tibetan Parliamentarian Lhagyari Namgyal Dolkar, local dignitaries and representatives of various Tibetan NGOs.

Congratulating the executive members of the association on the special occasion, the Deputy Speaker who was the chief guest, said that the Central Tibetan Administration with the grace of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, has efficiently rendered support and assisted in rehabilitating the former Tibetan political prisoners in exile.

“The status of political prisoners varies throughout the world, and in Tibet, political prisoners are the ones who work for Tibet and the Tibetan people,” Deputy Speaker explained.

He further lamented the current devastating political scenario inside Tibet under the oppressive rule of the Chinese government. He also spoke on the extreme brutalities and torture faced by Tibetan political prisoners under Chinese authorities which leaves them mentally and physically unstable. He also recalled the sufferings faced by His Eminence the 10th Panchen Lama who was imprisoned by the Chinese authorities for over 9 years before his untimely death.

At the same time, he called for more research work on the fate of former and present Tibetan political prisoners. He applauded the association for its effort in conveying the predicament of Tibetan political prisoners on international platform and a called upon a rigorous worldwide effort to alleviate their sufferings.