Press Conference at Italian Parliament: Matteo Mecacci MP, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang-Sangay and Gianni Vernetti MP
On the second day of Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay’s visit to the Italian capital Rome, he had a breakfast meeting with 11 Italian Parliamentarians from different political parties. The Tibetan Political leader thanked the Italian Parliamentarians for their continued support for Tibet. He said the 8 February 2012 resolution for Tibet by the Italian Parliament was a testimony of their support for Tibet during the very tragic and difficult period in the Tibetan history. “Your support sends a very strong message to Tibet,” said Dr. Sangay. “Your support is very important and it is also a support for democracy and non-violence – two core principles of the Tibetan struggle.” He said 42 Tibetans have self-immolated since 8 February. In the last seven days, four more Tibetans have self-immolated in Tibet. Despite his plead to the Tibetans not to restore to such drastic measures, the self-immolation continues. “It clearly speaks of the very difficult life under Chinese oppression,” he said. A total of 58 Tibetans have self-immolated since February 2009 and 48 of them have died. They have called for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Freedom in Tibet. The reasons the Tibetans have self-immolated are due to the Chinese government’s systematic repression of Tibetan religion, language and culture, and forced resettlement of Tibetan nomads in Tibet. The Tibet Group within the Italian Parliament organized a Press Conference for Dr. Sangay. Six Parliamentarians took part and expressed their support and concern for the situation in Tibet. In the afternoon, the Tibetan Political leader met with Ms. Emma Bonnio, Vice President of the Italian Senate at her office. Ms. Federica Mogherini, MP of the Democratic Party received Dr. Sangay at their party head office. Mr. Leondard Taoudt, MP and Ms. Carmen Motta, MP also joined the meeting. Ms. Mogherini expressed her support for dialogue with China and her concern at the self-immolations in Tibet. The Tibetan Political leader before leaving Rome had a meeting with Mr. Marco Pannella, President of the Radical Party. Mr. Pannella re-counted his several memorable meetings with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay said that he was very happy to meet a long time and strong friend of Tibet. Radical Party has maintained a long and steady friendship and support for the Tibetan issue. The Italian national TV channel 2’s prime news showed the meeting between Mr. Pannella and Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay. http://tibet.net/2012/10/26/support-for-tibet-is-support-for-democracy-and-non-violent/
