Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay with Swiss Parliamentarian group for Tibet on 29.1.2018
Geneva: Sikyong/President of the Central Tibetan Administration Dr. Lobsang Sangay on his last leg of three European countries tour has met with high-level officials from Swiss Federal government and Swiss Parliamentarian group for Tibet on Monday 29th Jan 2018 in Bern.
In the morning of Monday 29th Jan 2018, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay has been warmly received by group of high-level officials from the Swiss Federal government in Bern and had a constructive meeting. Sikyong Dr. Sangay has testified the current human rights situation in Tibet being bad to worse and urged for Swiss Federal government should pay more attention including importance of Tibetan plateaus in the context of global warming and fast disappearing of glacier from the Tibetan plateau which is a serious concern.
Despite human rights situation, Sikyong has also raised the issue of Tibetan immigration problems along with recognition of Tibetan nationality as China in the Swiss documents and requested for reconsideration of the issue.
At the same time, Sikyong expressed deep gratitude to the Swiss Federal government and people to hosting Tibetan refugees in the country since 60 years back and the Central Tibetan Administration is planning to organize “Thank You Switzerland” program from March 2018-March 2019 for whole year to remember the gratitude.
Thereafter, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay has being received in front of Swiss Parliament house by Parliamentarian group for Tibet coordinated by Swiss-Tibetan Friendship Association. Sikyong has interacted with Swiss Parliamentarian group for Tibet on issues ranging from human rights to environment and Middle Way Policy to Free Trade agreement between Swiss and China.
The Swiss Tibetan Friendship Association has hosted a lunch in honour of the visit of Sikyong along with Swiss Parliamentarian group for Tibet.
Sikyong being traditionally received in Gerneva
In the evening, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the President of Central Tibetan Administration has been drive down to Geneva and traditionally received by Tibetan community of Geneva in front of Hotel President Wilson.
The Tibet Bureau has hosted a dinner reception in honor of Sikyong’s official maiden visit to Geneva on 29th Jan 2018 evening by inviting long time Tibet supporters from Geneva.
Group of long time Tibet supporters from Geneva
On 30th Jan 2018 morning, Sikyong has had media interview by journalist Mr. Fédéric Koller of Le Temps (French Daily News Paper).
Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay (centre), Mr. Rémy Pagani, Mayor of Geneva City (left) and Rep. Ngodup Dorjee (right)
Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay presenting souvenir to Mayor Mr. Rémy Pagani of Geneva City
Soon after media interview, Sikyong has been rushed to Mayor office of the Geneva city to meet Mr. Rémy Pagani, Mayor who is also an activist and defenders for minority rights. Mr. Pagani supports the rights of Catalonia autonomous demand from Spain, which is very much similar to the struggle of Tibet seeking Genuine Autonomy within China. The Mayor and Sikyong had fruitful interaction followed by presentation of Tibetan national flag to Mayor. Sikyong has extended verbal invitation to the Mayor to visit Dharamsala and share his experiences of activism. On behalf of the organizer, Sikyong has also extended invitation to the Mayor Mr. Rémy Pagani to become guest speaker of the Europe Stands for Tibet’s rally program which is going to be held on 10th March in Geneva, which the Mayor has graciously accepted.
In the after lunch, Sikyong has had an appointment with the UN officials and discuss about how to strategize the issue of Tibet in coming three years to revitalize and better fit in the system of UN mechanism so that issue can be highlighted focusing on upcoming UPR and CERD will review China.
On 31 January, Sikyong depart from Geneva to meet Mr. Mario Fehr, Security Director of the Canton of Zürich and long time Tibet supporters.
Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay visits Office of Tibet in Geneva 30.1.2018
Official dinner hosted by Office of Tibet, Geneva to Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay and old friends of Tibet from Geneva