Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Nov. 19: President Penpa Tsering, the democratically elected leader of the Tibetan people, delivered a testimony before the Catalan Parliament’s Commission of Foreign Affairs on Friday in Spain, highlighting Tibet’s ongoing struggle against Chinese occupation.
During the hearing, President Tsering highlighted the critical situation in Tibet, noting that 157 Tibetans have self-immolated, with most being young people born after Chinese occupation who have never experienced Tibet’s independent status, yet are taking such extreme actions under severe Chinese repression.
He also advocated for the Middle Way Policy, envisioned by the Dalai Lama as a compromise between Tibet’s current status and its historical independence.
The incumbent president of the Central Tibetan Administration discussed the recently adopted “Resolve Tibet Act” in the United States, which recognizes the unresolved Sino-Tibet conflict, and called on the Catalan Parliament to consider a resolution regarding the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation. Members from leading political parties Junts per Catalunya, Izquierda Republicana, and Commons attended the hearing.
Catalan Parliament President Josep Rull met with Penpa Tsering before the testimony, expressing solidarity with Tibetans and acknowledging their commitment to nonviolence. The delegation received a tour of the parliament building.
This visit marked Tsering’s second to Barcelona, following a trip in November 2023. Tsering has been on his second official visit to Europe since the 12th of this month. After completing his official visit to Spain, he arrived in France, meeting with local Tibetans, discussing the situation in Tibet and China’s international status.
