Sikyong launching the German and Italian version of the book ‘Tibet was never a part of China’ at the session.
The second and the final day of Geneva Forum 2021 concludes today with the participants and speakers jointly issuing a public statement to release the basic human rights of the Tibetans and those oppressed by the authoritarian Chinese government.
The participants urged the United Nations as well as the international community and organisations to stop the Chinese government’s labour reform projects, etc. and in addition, jointly called for the implementation of the combined declaration made by 50 United Nations experts and scholars who held a meeting in June this year to set up an independent group to assess and observe the human rights situation in China.
Mr. Andre Gattolin, French Senator and ardent Tibet supporter concluded the forum by summoning the collective forces of those suppressed by the Chinese government to jointly fight the repression of China.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration also delivered his conclusion remarks whereby he asserted his commitment to a non-violent approach to resolving the Sino-Tibetan conflict. He affirmed that both he and his administration was committed to reaching out to the Chinese government to also resolve the problems of Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, and others.
“Till such a lasting solution is found, we are committed to studying the realities of the situation inside Tibet and point it out to the Chinese government that their policies and programs are not beneficial to them and to those under their oppression” Sikyong prompted.
“If they have a good sense of a ruler, they must ensure that aspirations of the people they rule are met and not merely imposed what they believe to be the solution” he added.
Sikyong also pointed out that development only was not a solution to every problem adding that the Chinese leadership need to understand that apart from the material development, the Tibetan people must have the right to use the language and practise their religion. “Only then the aspirations of Tibetan people are met” he added.
On this note, Sikyong also announced the CTA’s upcoming launch of the Voluntary Tibet Advocacy Group (V-TAG) to gather support and involvement of young Tibetans around the world in advocating the Tibetan issue.
In conclusion, Sikyong expressed his appreciation for the presence of Hon. Jiri Oberfalze, (Vice President of the Czech Republic’s Senate House) and his tireless effort in promoting the Tibetan issue in his country. Similarly, he extended his appreciation to Andre Gattolin for always being vocal about the Tibetan issue, to Nicholas Walder, a member of the Swiss Parliament for advocating the Tibetan issue in the Swiss parliament. Moreover, Sikyong solicited the support of all the attendees in ensuring that China is made accountable for its mistakes.
Following the concluding remarks, Sikyong unveiled the DIIR’s (CTA’s Info and International Relations Department) publication titled ‘Tibet Was Never a Part of China, But Middle Way Approach Remains a Viable Solution’ in Italian and German translations.
On the second day of the forum, a panel of experts discussed in-depth the Tibet Brief 20/20 authored by Dr. Michael van Walt van Praag which highlights the international legal status of Tibet and what that means for the international community. The panel also discussed the issue of economic freedom in China and the unfavourable influence of the Chinese government on international human rights. The speakers included Dr. Michael van Walt van Praag, President of Kreddha, an NGO dedicated to resolving intrastate conflicts, Thinlay Chukki (FormerSpecial Appointee for Human Rights at The Tibet Bureau), Dr. Adrian Zenz, Marco Respinti (Editor-in-Chief of Bitter Winter) Martin Hala (Founder and Director of Sinopsis), Laura Harth (coordinator of the Scientific Council of the Global Committee for the Rule of Law), and Parliamentarian Andre Gattolin.
This year’s Geneva Forum on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Violations by China concluded with the joint issue of the Geneva Forum 2021 declaration.