Nick Raynsford MP pressures the Chinese Government
London, June 10 – After meeting the Dalai Lama in May 2008, Nick Raynsford, a Member of the British Parliament urged the Chinese Government to respect civil rights in Tibet and to resume dialogue with the Dalai Lama as representative of the Tibetan people.
Speaking at an evening of Tibetan Solidarity in Greenwich on 7th June he told over 100 Tibetans:
“I think that we have all been very conscious of the very worrying events that have been taking place since the Chinese Repression of the protests in March this year and the abuse of human rights affecting Tibetan people.
I was fortunate to be able to be present when His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressed the House of Commons in May.
I thought he gave a very impressive speech and even more impressive, his answers to questions showed his deep humanity, his spirituality but also his understanding of international relations and his real concern to achieve a peaceful outcome.
I am hopeful that the opportunity we have at present time, with the approach to the Olympic Games, will enable us throughout the international community to bring pressure to bear on the Chinese Government to respect the position of Tibet and to resume proper discussions with the Dalai Lama.
I hope that those discussions can begin reasonably soon.
I am well aware of the worry and anxieties you have and others have about whether or not the Chinese might try simply to drag out the process of talks about the talks until after the Olympics Games when some of the pressure may actually have passed. That is why it is important at the moment that we send this very strong message.
I was also very pleased indeed that in the course of the speeches that you emphasised that you have no hostility towards the Chinese people. I represent Chinese people who live here in Greenwich and I strongly support them. At times they disagree with the Chinese Government but I represent them as Chinese people who live in Greenwich.
I was delighted to hear your very strong message that is no enmity towards the Chinese community here or indeed to the Chinese people.
Your argument is rightly with the Chinese Government and the British Government is supportive of your aspirations for both the respect of human rights of Tibetans and also for the resumption of proper negotiated discussions between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese Government with a view to spelling out the framework which will allow that aspiration for a degree of autonomy, which you seek, and which the international community, certainly in Britain, supports.
So my concluding message to you is one of hope. One would hope that despite the terrible events took place earlier this year in March and despite the sacrifice and the sufferings of the people in Tibet who have been subject to terrible repression – despite that – there is opportunity. This is an opportunity which is recognised increasingly in the international community.
The very fact that the process of the torch procession around the world was in large measure, seen as an opportunity for people to express concerns about the Chinese attitude towards Tibet and human rights, has been a very significant influence.
I hope without violence, because I very strongly endorse the views of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the British Government that there must be no violence, this must be a peaceful protest. I hope that this protest will continue to make it’s voice heard. So the Chinese Government have to recognise the need to resume a proper negotiation with the Dalai Lama as the representative of the people of Tibet.”
He concluded on a lighter note, “I apologise for not being able to speak in Tibetan like your Tibetan Parliamentarian!” The Right Honourable Nick Raynsford has been MP for Greenwich since 1992.
Member of Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Chithue Sonam Tsering Frasi said, “The Tibetan issue can only be resolved by talking with the Chinese.” The twice elected Tibetan Parliamentarian emphasised, “His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the only binding personality we Tibetans have both inside and outside Tibet.
Ugyan Norbu, representing the local Tashi Ling Tibetans living in London Borough of Greenwich said, “We welcome the support from our Member of Parliament in Westminster for his solidarity. In Tibet, there is no democracy. Solidarity is the key to our freedom for Tibet to join the world.”
Tsering, an organiser of the solidarity event said of recent protests in Tibet, “The Tibetan people have shown us the courage to speak up for freedom and democracy.”
The event raised much needed funds for Nepal Tibetan Solidarity Forum (NTSF) towards its continued efforts in keeping the issue of Tibet alive.
Tibetans in Nepal highly appreciate the support they continue to receive both at home and from abroad. In his email message from Kathmandu, Tashi Phuntsok, a core member of Nepal Tibetan Solidarity Forum wrote, “The Tibetan Community in Nepal is very grateful for the response and support received from the diplomatic missions of the EU member states, USA and the UN-OHCHR. Similarly NTSF remains grateful to the support and solidarity received from individuals and Associations from people in the Himalayan region of Nepal.”
