Dharamshala: A delegation from Estonia visited the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and met with Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, and members of the Standing Committee earlier today, 11th March 2025.

The delegation included Sakarias Jaan Leppik, former Member of Parliament and former head of the Tibet Support Group in the Estonian Parliament; Karmen Joller, Member of Parliament; Hanah Lahe, Member of Parliament; Jaak Valge, Member of Parliament; Ando Kiviberg, Member of Parliament; Urmo Uiboleht, Honorable Regent of the Seto Kingdom in South-East Estonia; and Priit Rohumaa, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AS Ekspress.

Welcoming the delegation from Estonia, the Speaker thanked all the visiting guests for their support of the just cause of Tibet. He expressed hope that their presence at the official commemoration of Tibetan National Uprising Day on March 10, 2025, their audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and their visit to the Central Tibetan Administration’s seat in Dharamshala had provided them with a deeper understanding of the Sino-Tibetan conflict.

He further emphasized the Central Tibetan Administration’s objective of resolving the Sino-Tibetan conflict and preserving Tibet’s distinct language, culture, and religion, noting how international support has been instrumental in advancing these goals.

Addressing the critical situation inside Tibet, the Speaker underscored the region’s deteriorating condition under Chinese occupation. He also mentioned the status of dialogue between the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and their Chinese counterparts, with the 9th and most recent round of formal talks occurring in 2010.

The Speaker continued, “To bring the Chinese government back to the negotiating table and resolve the Sino-Tibetan conflict, we need the backing of the international community, particularly from lawmakers like you in free nations.”

Speaking at the meeting, the Deputy Speaker emphasized that their visit to Dharamshala sends a strong message not only to China but also to other dictatorships, demonstrating how democracies support each other in opposition to totalitarian regimes.

She urged the delegates to raise the issue of Tibet whenever any opportunity arises especially them being lawmakers of a free nation in Europe and explained how Tibetan cause transcend generations of Tibetans, adding, “The truth will always prevail”.

From an environmental perspective, the Deputy Speaker emphasized the significance of the Tibetan Plateau and the rivers flowing from Tibet, which serve as a lifeline to over a billion people in downstream countries such as China, India, and other Southeast Asian nations.

Adding that China’s harmful policies are causing irreversible damage to Tibet’s environment, and a UN commission should be established to study the Tibetan Plateau and its impact on global climate change.

The meeting continued with interactive Q&A session, followed by a visit to the parliament hall.