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Tibetan Parliament express gratitude to Italian and European MPs for raising Tibet issue

Date: Friday, 02-July-2010

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by Tenzin Norbu, TPiE Secretariat
Central Tibetan Administration (CTA)
June 30, 2010

Dharamshala -- The Tibetan Parliament in Exilesent letters to Honourable Mr. Matteo Meccaci, MPItaly and Honourable Mr. Thomas Mann, MEPGermany, Co-Chairs of the newly establishedInternational Network of Parliamentarians onTibet (INPaT) expressing gratitude for havingraised issues of Tibet with the World leaders andfor having urged the leaders of G8 countries totake a proactive role in achieving a negotiatedsolution to the crisis in Tibet through dialoguebetween the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama's envoys.

In a letter to Prime Minister of Canada, INPaTstrongly appreciated the concerns of Canada onthe issue of Tibet. The letter categoricallystated that the Dalai Lama's Middle Way Approachseeks to secure genuine autonomy for the Tibetanpeople within the scope of the constitution ofthe People's Republic of China, based on themutual benefit and long-term interest of theTibetan and Chinese people. The Parliamentariansalso urged multilateral co-operation inprotecting Tibet's fragile environment, highlycritical to the rest of Asia and the world.

Dolma Gyari, Deputy Speaker of the TibetanParliament-in-Exile, said: "We are encouraged bythe unwavering support of INPaT. Since 2008,seven members of the G8 have already expressedsupport for the dialogue between the PRCgovernment and representatives of His Holinessthe Dalai Lama to resolve the ongoingdifferences. I believe that G8 and G20 leadershave far more concrete support to offer to bringmore effectiveness in resolving the issue ofTibet peacefully through dialogue".

INPaT has urged G20 leaders to consider the proposals :

1.To undertake independent, Internationalscientific assessments of the changes in theTibetan Plateau's ecosystems, water resources andland use policies. The participation ofscientists and relevant stakeholders from Tibetand those nations that depend on Tibet's waterresource which is necessary for examination,analysis and interpretation of conditions on theplateau. This will facilitate an equitable anddurable approach to adapting to and mitigatingthe effects of climate change in the region,including ecosystem restoration and management ofthe plateau's grasslands and forests.

2.To integrate the participation of Tibetans,especially nomads, in the decision-making andmanagement of the plateau's natural resources.Their experience is essential not only forunderstanding ecosystem changes, but also foraddressing the threats of desertification anderosion. Government policies removing nomads fromthe grasslands are a misguided attempt to reducedesertification. There is scientific evidencethat nomads' management of the grasslandsfacilitates ecosystem stewardship and helps restore areas already degraded.

3. To encourage multilateral collaborativedecision-making and governance of the Tibetanplateau's water resources, including all regionaland local stakeholders. Such cooperation willenhance the effectiveness of mitigation policiesand promote equitable adaptation strategies thatcan reduce the risk of conflict over competition for water resources.

International Network of Parliamentarians onTibet first convened in Rome last November duringthe Fifth World Parliamentarians' Convention onTibet which is being represented by around 133parliamentarians from 30 different parliamentsaround the world. The International Campaign forTibet has been designated as the Secretariat of the network.