Dharamshala: Following the commemoration of the 67th Tibetan National Uprising Day at the Tsuglhagkhang Main Temple, an international delegation of dignitaries participated in a joint press conference expressing solidarity with Tibet and its people.
The high-level delegation included Michael Brand, Member of the German Parliament and Parliamentary State Secretary, Germany; Hans-Gert Pöttering; Jiří Oberfalzer, Vice President of the Senate of the Czech Republic; and Juris Vilums, Member of Parliament from Latvia. The visiting leaders reaffirmed their support for Tibet and called for stronger international attention to the Tibetan issue.
At the beginning of the press conference, Tenzin Lekshay, Additional Secretary of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), introduced the delegation members and expressed gratitude for their presence and continued support for the Tibetan cause.
Michael Brand, Member of the German Bundestag, emphasised the need to raise global awareness about the threats posed by the Chinese regime to Tibetan culture and language, highlighting issues such as colonial boarding schools and the importance of exposing the truth about the situation inside Tibet. Quoting His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, “Never give up, the time will come”, he said the gathering on 10 March reflects a shared commitment to continue the struggle through peace and compassion.
Jiří Oberfalzer, Vice President of the Senate of the Czech Republic, stated that China’s actions in Tibet constitute multiple crimes and emphasised the need for the international community to raise its voice against them. He stressed that the issue is not only about Tibetans regaining their homeland but also about making collective efforts to change China’s behaviour and policies toward Tibet.
Hans-Gert Pöttering, former President of the European Parliament, stated that he firmly believes in the dignity of every human being and the principle of self-determination, which should also apply to the Tibetan people. He emphasised that it is a shared responsibility of the international community to protect and preserve Tibetan identity, culture, and rights, adding that the European Union is founded on the principle of “unity in diversity,” and therefore the Chinese government must respect the dignity and identity of Tibetans.
Juris Vilums, Member of Parliament from Latvia, said that Latvia lived under a communist regime for 50 years and feels fortunate to be free today. He noted that during his visit to Kyiv, he saw that Ukraine is facing a struggle similar to what Tibet experienced in 1959. He thanked Ukrainians for defending their country and Europe, while also acknowledging that although politicians often speak about such issues, concrete actions remain limited. He expressed hope that the world can build a better system to protect people in the future.
The press conference concluded with a question-and-answer session, during which journalists asked the delegation about the role of European nations in advocating for Tibet and the broader geopolitical implications of the Tibetan issue. The visiting leaders reaffirmed their commitment to raising Tibet-related concerns in their respective parliaments and international forums.
The presence of the distinguished delegation at the 67th National Uprising Day commemoration demonstrated continued international solidarity with Tibet and reinforced growing global support for the Tibetan people’s peaceful struggle.
