Dharamshala: A delegation of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile consisting of MPs Geshe Monlam Tharchin, Kunga Sotop, and Choedak Gyatso successfully concluded parliament’s Europe Tibet advocacy effort in Luxembourg.

On the morning of November 19, 2024, the visiting Tibetan Parliamentary delegation met with Gusty Graas, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Luxembourg Parliament and a member of the ruling party.

During the meeting, the delegation presented MP Graas with a Parliament souvenir, a biography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, an appeal letter signed by the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, an introduction booklet to the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, and significant historical documents, including a copy of the passport of Tsepon Wangchuk Deden Shakabpa, the Finance Minister of Tibet, issued by the then-independent government of Tibet.

The delegation provided MP Graas with an overview of the Chinese occupation of Tibet, which led to His Holiness the Dalai Lama guiding nearly 100,000 Tibetans into exile in India. They also highlighted the critical situation inside Tibet, including policies affecting Tibetan nomads, the collection of DNA from Tibetans, and the forced enrolment of Tibetan children in colonial boarding schools.

The delegation urged MP Graas to raise awareness and advocate for Tibet within the Luxembourgish Parliament. They emphasized that Tibet is an occupied nation, not a part of China, and called for action to counter ongoing Chinese propaganda.

Specifically, they appealed for the adoption of a resolution on Tibet in the European Parliament and the appointment of a special coordinator for Tibetans within the European Parliament. MP Graas expressed his concerns about the situation in Tibet and assured the delegation that he would bring the issue to the attention of Luxembourg’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The delegation then visited the European Court of Justice, where they were received by Jimmy S. Meyer, a long-time supporter of Tibet, who has been involved with the Tibetan Youth Congress since 1994. The delegation was given a guided tour of the court, with an explanation of its workings.

Later that afternoon, the delegation met with David Perreira, Executive Director, and Morgane Gury, Communications and Digital Marketing Manager at Amnesty International. During the meeting, they highlighted the most pressing human rights issues in Tibet and presented an official appeal letter signed by the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile.

The delegation raised several concerns, including the destruction of Tibet’s environment due to the unregulated exploitation of natural resources, the construction of dams, the situation of Tibetan political prisoners (including the 11th Panchen Lama), the aspirations of Tibetan self-immolators, and the challenges faced by their families at the hands of Chinese officials.

They also discussed the impact of colonial boarding schools. In response, Executive Director Perreira reaffirmed Amnesty International’s commitment to defending human rights worldwide, including in Tibet.

In the evening, the delegation met with Chairperson Pierre and board members of Les Amis du Tibet, a support group that has been helping Tibetan children with education since 1995. The delegation expressed their gratitude and commended the group for its unwavering dedication to the Tibetan people.

Friends of Tibet, Luxembourg was established in 1995 and was officially registered as a non-governmental organization under the name “Les Amis du Tibet” in 1996. The organization’s main activities include promoting the Tibetan cause in Luxembourg and implementing approximately 42 social welfare projects across Tibet, India, and Nepal.

In 2005, during the 10th anniversary celebration of the organization, they invited His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and more than 6,000 local people participated in the event. Currently, the organization has approximately 300 members.

Throughout their advocacy visit in Luxembourg, the Tibetan Parliamentary delegation was accompanied by Representative Rigzin Genkhang and EU Advocacy Officer Tenzin Phuntsok of the Office of Tibet in Brussels.