Estonian Delegates Defy Beijing, Attend Tibetan Democracy Day in Dharamsala
By Tsering Choephel
DHARAMSALA, 2 Sept: Four delegates from the Estonian Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet attended the sixty-fourth anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day today, despite strong opposition from Beijing. Mr Juku-Kalle Raid, an Estonian MP and chairman of the Tibet Support Group, referred to China’s warning as a ‘love letter’ and denounced the Chinese Communist Party’s dictatorship as ‘dictator-shit.’
Penpa Tsering, the President (Sikyong) of the Central Tibetan Administration, and Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, read the Kashag’s and Parliament’s statements, respectively, before an audience of foreign dignitaries, Tibetan parliamentarians, and members of the public gathered at the Tsuklakhang courtyard in McLeod Ganj.
Both the Sikyong and the Speaker discussed recent developments concerning the Tibetan issue, both within Tibet and in exile, as well as internationally. Topics included the passage of the ‘Tibet Resolve Act’ in the US and the enforced closure of the Ragya Tibetan School in Tibet, among others.
The Sikyong urged “every Tibetan to make collective efforts in unity” to preserve Tibetan identity and counter Beijing’s repressive policies in Tibet. He also emphasised the need to acknowledge that “there is still considerable scope for improving our democratic system” and stated that “it is the need of the hour to strengthen the completion and effectiveness of the laws and regulations that ensure fairness and justice for all.”
Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel expressed gratitude to India and other foreign governments and people for their “unwavering support, guidance, and assistance to the Tibetan people in exile.” He prayed that all the noble wishes of “His Holiness the Dalai Lama be fulfilled effortlessly and that the just cause of Tibet be realized.”
The guest of honour at the event, the Estonian Parliamentary Support Group delegation, included Mr Juku-Kalle Raid, a Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Estonian Parliament; Mrs Karmen Joller, a Member of the Social Affairs Committee; Ms Ester Aruse, a Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee; and Mr Roy Strider, who coordinated the visit.
For Juku-Kalle Raid and Roy Strider, this marked their second visit to the Tibetan exile capital this year, having previously attended the 35th birthday anniversary of the 11th Panchen Lama in April, whose whereabouts Beijing has kept secret since his disappearance in 1995.
On August 30, the Chinese Embassy in Estonia issued a statement expressing “strong opposition” to the recent visit of the Estonian Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet to the “Tibetan government-in-exile.” The statement reiterated China’s false assertion that Tibet “has been an integral part of Chinese territory since ancient times.” As has become common practice, it further denounced the Tibetan government-in-exile as an “illegal organisation” and accused the 14th Dalai Lama of “engaging in anti-China separatist activities.”
Despite the CCP’s opposition, each delegate, in their brief speeches, expressed support for the cause of Tibet and unanimously denounced the communist dictatorship of the CCP. Due to Estonia’s own history of repression under Communist Soviet rule and its eventual liberation from Soviet invasion and repression, the Tibetan non-violent freedom struggle resonates with and inspires the delegates to stand with the Tibetan cause.
Mr Juku-Kalle Raid contrasted the CCP’s dictatorship with the democracy practised by the exiled Tibetan diaspora. He described Beijing’s opposing letter to their visit as a ‘love letter’ and denounced the CCP’s dictatorship as ‘dictator-shit.’
The delegates expressed hope that, in the future, representatives from other free nations would visit the Tibetan exile government in groups and attend such events to show support for Tibet’s cause.
