Tibetan Activist Chemi Lhamo Elected Spokesperson of World Liberty Congress
By Tenzin Chokyi
DHARAMSALA 10 Nov: Tibetan activist Chemi Lhamo has been elected as the spokesperson of the World Liberty Congress (WLC)— an “alternate United Nations” representing countries under authoritarian regimes– at the organisation’s second General Assembly held in Berlin on Sunday.
“As the spokesperson, I am not your voice. I want to be your microphone because you have a voice, your people have a voice. They have been screaming at the top of their lungs. Each fight, each day that they are resisting. So, I will be your spokesperson that will amplify your voices on the world stage”, Chemi said in her address to more than 180 delegates from 60 countries under autocratic rule at the assembly.
She also made a heartfelt commitment to prioritize listening over speaking, drawing from her mother’s wisdom. “As I assume my responsibility to manage all external communications and media relations, more than speaking, I will listen. Because, as my mother says, you have two ears and one mouth for a reason. So today, I make a commitment: I will listen. I will listen to the voices of dissent, the voices of courage, the voices of political prisoners, the voices of heroes, and to each and every one of you in this room representing your people and your struggle.”
The second General Assembly of the World Liberty Congress is part of Berlin Freedom Week (BFW), organized by the WLC from 8 to 15 November. The week marks the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989, symbolizing the collapse of authoritarianism and the rise of freedom and liberty.
BFW features a series of events promoting democracy and human rights, including conferences addressing autocracy, climate change, defense, security, and liberty, along with cultural, musical, and artistic programs celebrating the spirit of democracy and freedom.
“When the wall falls, we rise. I am honored to represent Tibet alongside more than 60 nations at the World Liberty Congress, right across from the Berlin City Parliament. Together, we are united to break down the walls built by authoritarian regimes — the walls that dictatorships use to divide us. But we will stand together and fight,” said Tenzin Passang, National Director of Students for a Free Tibet.
Passang is joined by three other Tibetan representatives including spokesperson-elect Chemi Lhamo, Lobsang Sangay, former President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, and Gonpo Dhundup, former President of the Tibetan Youth Congress. The delegation represents occupied Tibet under China’s colonial rule and the Tibetan resistance movement in exile at the Berlin Freedom Week.
