September 29, 2018

Tibet’s Cause At the Heart of UK Parliamentarians

Vijyender Sharma

Dharamshala-------- Three members of UK Parliament delegations consisting Rt Hon Timothy Loughton, MP, Conservative Party, Hon Chris Law, MP, Scottish National Party and Hon Kerry McCarthy, MP, Labour Party visited Dharamshala .

Kashag (Cabinet) hosted a banquet in honour to welcome them following which the members visited various offices of CTA and NGOs, and met with respective officials and dignitaries of CTA.

But the highlight of their visit was gaining an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 28 September where they had a long interactive session with His Holiness on wide ranging topics but mainly concerning Tibet's issue.

Later that day, the members had an interactive talk session with CTA Officials, staffs and Tibetan NGOs at T- Building at Gankyi organised by CTA.

In his opening remarks, CTA President Dr Lobsang Sangay once again extended his welcome to the parliamentarians and gave them a brief introduction of all the present Kalons, officials and dignitaries of CTA.

While expressing his gratitude to the enormous support rendered by the parliamentarians, President Dr Lobsang Sangay stated that it symbolises a powerful message for the Tibetans inside that despite China's powerful influence, there are far more people outside Tibet who are fighting for the cause of Tibet. They are for the pro justice, pro freedom and pro human rights in Tibet. These supporters said the President represents pro justice more than pro Tibet.

" Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere" quoted the President.

President further noted that the Chinese Communist Party is driven by Xi Jin Ping's ideology which leaves no room for freedom of speech and democracy and now they intend to bring the same ideology to the world which is the biggest threat.

Besides restoring justice, basic liberty and freedom inside Tibet, President elucidated the Parliamentarians about the other purpose of the CTA which is to challenge the Chinese narrative of Tibet under the guidance and vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Parliamentarian Timothy Loughton addressing the gathering conveyed that UK Parliament is divided by many factors when addressing a discourse but the one and probably the only thing that unite them is their solidarity with Tibet and the Tibetans and their willingness to fight for the cause of Tibet.

"Its not just the cause of Tibet and Tibetan people, if you are interested in the cause of Tibet and Tibetan people its because you are interested in the cause of justice and natural law of this whole planet" said MP Timothy Loughton.

He recalled a conversation he had with His Holiness asking His Holiness why China fears Tibet when China is a strong country both economically and military wise whereas Tibet lack those?
He was told, that Tibet is sustained by huge resilience and belief unbeatable to China. MP Timothy pronounced that despite innumerable efforts that China makes, it can never counterfeit Tibet's strength and resilience.

He further emphasised the significance of Tibet's cause because of the massive impact it has upon the world in terms of climate change.

"China is indeed a powerful nation. Howsoever, you deal with them the way you deal with bullies by standing up to them" advised MP Timothy.

MP Timothy once again expressed his solidarity with Tibet and Tibetans and was optimistic about the day when he and his co-parliamentarians would be delivering the same speech at Lhasa in Tibet.

Christopher Law, MP, Scottish National Party in his speech lauded the resilience of the Tibetan people unlike the superficial prowess of China.

He drew a similarity between Tibet and his motherland Scotland historically and culturally, therefore affirmed to continue his struggle for Tibet's cause.

"My message for China is that there is nothing to fear for Tibetan people being Tibetan themselves who are identifying themselves through a democratic process with their own Parliament reflecting their own views"

He was hopeful for the day when His Holiness would return to Tibet and further claimed that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is widely loved and respected.

MP Chris assured for a possible debate on the recently passed legislation bill by the US on his return to the parliament in UK.

Concluding the session, Deputy Speaker Ven. Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok thanked the respective parliamentarians delegation from UK for their incessant support to the cause of Tibet.

Marking the day as a historic moment, Deputy Speaker reminded the gathering about the historical ties between Tibet and Britain dating back to various engagements meted out in the past particularly the Shimla Agreement in 1914.

Whether political or historical ties, Deputy Speaker was hopeful that the coming 7th World Parliament Convention to be held in November would see more of participants supporting Tibet and the Tibetan people.

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