Swiss Representative Thinlay Chukki Leads Advocacy Meetings in Frankfurt to Strengthen Support for Tibet

From 20 to 21 May 2025, Representative Thinlay Chukki of the Tibet Bureau in Geneva led a delegation to Frankfurt for a series of meetings aimed at reinforcing international support for the Tibetan cause. She was accompanied by Kelsang Gyaltsen, former Special Envoy and Advisor to the Permanent Strategy Committee, and Phuntsok Tobgyal, UN Advocacy Officer from the Office of Tibet in Geneva.

During the visit, the delegation met with Frank Auth, President of Friends for Friends in Frankfurt, and Dieter Beine, Chief Protocol Officer of the state of Hessen. The discussions focused on strengthening long-term partnerships and enhancing cooperation in support of Tibet’s struggle for political rights and human dignity.

Representative Chukki provided updates on the current human rights situation inside Tibet and briefed attendees on preparations for the upcoming global celebrations marking the 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. She emphasised the need for continued international engagement to spotlight the peaceful struggle of the Tibetan people under Chinese rule.

The delegation also held talks with former German politician and legal expert Roland Koch. The discussions explored the broader geopolitical climate, challenges inside Tibet, and ways Germany could expand its support for Tibetan aspirations. Koch praised the resilience of the Tibetan people and offered his perspectives on advancing the cause in alignment with evolving global realities.

In his remarks, Representative Kelsang Gyaltsen noted that although global attention on Tibet may be decreasing and His Holiness the Dalai Lama is growing older, the Tibetan freedom struggle remains strong, especially among the younger generation. He stated that the Tibetan cause is not weakening but moving forward. A new generation of educated and aware Tibetans is stepping up to take responsibility. They are deeply committed to carrying on the struggle through peaceful means and dialogue.