Sikyong Meets with the Speaker of the House of Commons and Gives Interview to BBC World News Television
Source:tibet.net
1 November 2016, London: Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay yesterday met with Rt. Hon Speaker of the House of Commons, in the Parliament House. The Speaker warmly welcomed Sikyong to the British Parliament and enquired about his stay in the UK. The Speaker recalled the time when he hosted His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Parliament and mentioned what a great honour and privilege that was. He expressed his strong support for the non-violent and just cause of Tibet. Later, when the Sikyong was seated in the House of Commons in the Gallery to watch a debate that was in progress on the floor of the House, the Speaker acknowledged the presence of Sikyong in the House. He said ‘I acknowledge the presence in the House today of Lobsang Sangay, the Sikyong (or) Prime Minister of Tibetan Government in exile. It is a privilege and honour to welcome you, Sir.’’
Earlier in the day, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay addressed the meeting of All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet (APPGT) in the UK Parliament, chaired by Tim Loughton, MP and attended by among others, ten Members of Parliament representing three political parties in the UK Parliament. In his address, Sikyong mentioned about the destruction of Larung Gar, the largest Buddhist institute in the world, resulting in the forced expelling thousands of monks and nuns. He also touched upon the significance of Tibet, as roof of the world and source of major rivers, to the rest of Asia. He urged the MPs and Tibet supporters to stand up for the democratic ideals and principles and support restoration of freedom for Tibetans.
In the afternoon Sikyong spoke to a house full of members of Henry Jackson Society, a think tank working to advance democracy and real human rights, chaired by Fabian Hamilton, MP (and former Chair of APPGT). He spoke on Tibetan democracy in exile and the future of Sino-Tibetan relations and his speech was well received by those present, who engaged Sikyong with a wide range of interesting questions.
The Sikyong then appeared on the BBC World News television, where he was interviewed by Halda Yakim, which was telecast live to the world audience. He then gave a brief interview to BBC Chinese service.
In his interview to the BBC World News television, Sikyong expressed collective prayers and aspirations of the Tibetan people for successful reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He called upon the word leaders to stand by their national values and principles in their dealings with China. Sikyong also emphasised the wide scale demolition of Tibetan monasteries and nunneries and in the same breath, mentioned the undefeated spirit of the Tibetans who have successfully revived the Tibetan monasteries and nunneries in Tibet.
Overall the day was productive in creating greater awareness on the Tibetan issue.
-Report filed by the Office of Tibet, London-