TPiE Delegation Leads Tibet Advocacy Tour in Europe

A Four-member delegation of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile is currently on Tibet advocacy tour to European countries.
Under coordination of International Campaign for Tibet Brussels, the Tibetan parliamentary delegation including parliamentarians: Dolma Tsering, Geshe Aatuk Tsetan, Dawa Phunkyi and Ngawang Tharpa visited Switzerland from 17-21 November.
The delegation were received by Representative Ngodup Dorjee, Tibetan parliamentarian Samdho Jampa Tsering and Pema Lanying, Vice-President of Tibetan Community in Switzerland & Liechtenstein on 17 November at Zürich main station (Hauptbahnhof).

Next day, the delegation had formal meeting with executive members of Tibetan community in Switzerland & Liechtenstein along with head of other Tibetan NGOs at Rapperswil-Jona followed by a public meeting.

On 19 November, the delegation met with former political prisoner Tanak Jigmey Sangpo at Turbenthal OPH, visited the Rikon monastery, Tibetan weekend school of Rikon, Aargau and Luzern Tibetan communities.
On 20 November, the delegation met with Swiss Parliamentarian for Tibet Group, MP Prisca Birrer Heimo, SP LU, MP Martin Nael, SP Zürich and MP Regula Rytz, GP, BE. The meeting, coordinated by Swiss Tibetan Friendship Association Vice-President Lhawang Ngorkhangsar & Jose, discussed about various issues of Tibet including worsening human rights violation. The delegation urged for strong and continue support from the Swiss Parliamentarian.

In the evening, the delegation arrived in Geneva for a meeting with UN Special Rapporteur and series of meetings with other UN officials. Next day, the delegation raised the current human rights situation inside Tibet including environmental issue as focal point. They appealed for strong support from the United Nations to address the issue and make China accountable.

On 21 November, after having successful programs in Geneva, the delegation left for Brussels. During the whole Swiss program, the delegation was accompanied by Mélanie Blondelle and Vincent Metten of ICT Brussels office has participated for meeting with UN officials in Geneva.
-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Geneva-