The third in a series of regional meetings of Tibet groups, held this year by the International Tibet Support Network (ITSN) concluded successfully today. 70 participants from 34 European Tibet organisations, representing 19 countries, met in Berlin from the 1st to the 3rd December, and identified key political issues for its future work. Meetings were previously held in India and in the United States for Tibet groups in the Americas and Australasia.
The participants agreed to intensify in a co-ordinated way their efforts for the Beijing Olympics related campaign. The next proposed steps are to incorporate the inputs of this meeting into already detailed plans and to ensure effective co-ordination of public campaigns till August 2008.
The meeting also agreed to commence the development of a longer-term priority campaign, to take effect when the Olympics are over. Key campaigns to protect the human rights and economic rights of the Tibetan people were also further developed.
Jamyang Dorjee, co Chair of the ITSN Steering Committee said, “Our network is growing in strength and effectiveness, and China is feeling the impact of activities. This was a productive and inspiring meeting, and the outcomes are in harmony with the meetings of Tibet organisations in India and the Americas.”
Phuntsog Nyidron, former political prisoner, addressed the participants and gave a moving account of her time in prison. She called the participants to support the release of Lobsang Tenzin who has been in prison since 1988.
The participants denounce the shooting of Tibetan refugees at Nangpa La Pass, Nepal and the continued verbal attacks by China on His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The participants call on the Chinese leadership to genuinely engage in the Sino-Tibetan dialogue.
The participants recognised that the Tibetan Government-in-Exile represents the aspirations of the Tibetan people and appreciates the pragmatic step taken by its leadership to find a negotiated solution of the Tibetan issue.
However keeping in view the negative attitude of the Chinese government, the participants, using their democratic rights and freedom, are determined to continue their activities for Tibet including peaceful protests and other campaigns until the issue of Tibet is resolved.
Contacts: Jamyang Dorjee, ITSN co chair email; jamyangdorjee@yahoo.com Chonpel Tsering, ITSN Secretariat.
Tel + 44 7823 775607
