DHARAMSHALA, February 21: A delegation of the Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest pro-independence group in exile, today met with senior officials of the United States government in Dharamshala and briefed them on the escalating crisis inside Tibet and the recent self-immolation by a Tibetan monk, Drupchen Tsering in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The visiting US delegation comprises of Charlotte Oldham-Moore, US Senior Advisor to the under secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, Amanda S Jacobsen, US Refugee Coordinator of Nepal, India and Sri Lanka, Susan F.Kyle, US Program officer for South Asian Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, and Stacy Pearce, Representatives of the US Embassy in New Delhi.

During the meeting, which lasted for an hour, TYC Joint Secretary Tenzin Norsang and Cultural Secretary Jigme Sholpa raised the critical situation inside Tibet, heralded by 104 known cases of self-immolations and China’s ongoing brutal crackdown on all forms of peaceful dissent by Tibetans. The youth leaders also addressed the difficult situation of Tibetans in Nepal, where authorities, under the influence of China, are yet to return the body of Tibetan self-immolator Drupchen Tsering, who set himself ablaze on February 13.

“We urged the US government to use its good office to put pressure on China to immediately allow an international fact finding delegation to visit Tibet and dismantle the undeclared martial law situation inside Tibet,” Norsang told Phayul.

The TYC representatives also presented pictures providing evidences of Tibet’s independence status prior to China’s invasion and thanked the delegation for their relentless work for Tibetans.

“The delegation expressed their solidarity with Tibet and acknowledged the hard work of Tibetan Youth Congress,” Norsang added.

Earlier on February 13, TYC organised a two-day Rangzen Conference in the Indian capital New Delhi, which was attended by around 45 independence activists and advocates, including 10 Indians.

The 4th and last Preliminary Rangzen Conference also marked 100 years of His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama’s Tibetan Proclamation of Independence.

Participants included Kyabje Shingza Rinpoche, former President of TYC Lhasang Tsering, Tibetan MPs Karma Yeshi, Ven. Monlam Tharchin, and Sertha Tsultrim. Long time Tibet supporters Dr NK Trikha, National Convener of the Core Group for Tibetan Cause, Vijay Kranti, Sethu Das and CA Kallianpur of the Friends of Tibet, India, and Dr PJ Jyotikar were also present.

Speaking at the Conference, Dhondup Lhadar, vice-president of TYC stressed that every Tibetan has the responsibility to “preserve the legacy of the 13th Dalai Lama and uphold the truth of an independent and sovereign Tibet.”

“More than a hundred Tibetans have given the ultimate non-violent sacrifice of setting themselves on fire protesting China’s occupation,” Lhadar said. “It is our sacred duty to repeat history a 100 years later and realise the return of our most beloved leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”

Indian delegates spoke strongly in support of Tibet’s independence and unanimously agreed that genuine security of India lies only in an independent Tibet.

Dr NK Trikha in his remarks said Tibet supporters across India stand firmly with all those Tibetan individuals and groups who are struggling for the cause of Rangzen.

“I want to make it clear that the cause of a completely free, independent Tibet is very close to the heart of every Tibet supporter in India,” Dr Trikha said. “The national interest of India are closely related with an independent and free Tibet.”

TYC noted that suggestions compiled at the Conference will be presented at the International Rangzen Conference scheduled for May 23, 2013.

Three earlier Preliminary Rangzen Conferences were held in Europe, North America, and East Asia.