Spokesperson Tenzin Lekshay Meets Tibet Support Groups in Vienna, Advocates for Youth Engagement and Human Rights
Tenzin Lekshay, Additional Secretary and Spokesperson of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), along with Phuntsok Topgyal, UN Advocacy Officer of the Office of Tibet in Geneva, held a meeting with Elisabeth Zimmerman from Save Tibet and Karl from Friends of Tibet, both representing Tibet Support Groups in Vienna, Austria, on 10 December 2024.
During the meeting, Additional Secretary Lekshay expressed deep gratitude for their long-standing support for the Tibetan cause and implored them to continue their advocacy efforts. He also requested their guidance and influence on young Tibetan children in Austria to inspire future generations. Furthermore, Additional Secretary Lekshay extended an invitation to both groups to visit Dharamshala next year to participate in celebrations marking His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday.
Later that day, Additional Secretary Lekshay was invited by the Tibetan Community in Austria to deliver a speech during an International Human Rights Day program organised near the Chinese Embassy in Vienna. The event drew around 40 participants, including over 27 young Chinese students.
In his address, Additional Secretary Lekshay highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by Tibetans under Chinese rule, stating, “The situation inside Tibet is worse than before. The communist regime, since its inception, has ignored the aspirations of the Tibetan people, the Uyghurs, the people of Hong Kong, and even their own Chinese citizens. Their priority remains stability through suppression of public sentiment. We must stand united in peaceful protest against this regime, advocating for dialogue over violence.”
The protest saw participation from UN Advocacy Officer Phuntsok Topgyal, President and Vice President of the Tibetan Community Austria, Zomkey (V-TAG Coordinator), Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) Austria, and several Tibetan and Chinese supporters. The gathering showcased solidarity among various groups striving for human rights and freedom.
