Foreign Affairs committee  The good thing is that the Tibetan Parliament acts as both opposition and ruling party. Members are all elected on a regional basis, and they mostly act as individuals, so there is no opposition party per se. Our democracy is a party-less democracy. It's based on a Buddhist notio

Foreign Affairs committee  Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the Penchan Lama, recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, reflects the human rights situation in Tibet. At the age of five he disappeared. Next year it will be 25 years since his disappearance simply for being recognized as a religious leader. He'll be 30

Foreign Affairs committee  Yes.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you very much for your questions. It's beautiful to hear your language. French is a beautiful language. We believe the Tibetan language is also quite beautiful, and ought to be preserved. It needs its own space in Tibet for the Tibetan people. You are absolutely right. Goi

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you very much for the question, Arif. I know that you've been the chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Tibet. You are doing a very good job. Your statement, and also the video, went viral.

Foreign Affairs committee  Tibetans appreciate a lot what you have done so far, and urge you to continue to lead the support group in Canada. I also appreciate your use of the words tashi delek, which mean “good wishes”. Unfortunately, the Tibetan delegation from the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region coul

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you, honourable member of Parliament, Garnett Genuis. The last time when the so-called delegation from the Tibet Autonomous Region came, you spoke very strongly and morally. That video has gone viral in the Tibetan world, so I must thank you for being an outright spokespers

Foreign Affairs committee  In fact, it's very odd that the members of parliament are with me here together, because in our parliament they act both as the opposition and the ruling party, so sometimes they support you and sometimes they criticize you. I hope our members of parliament will learn from your p

Foreign Affairs committee  If we have fewer questions, that's better for the executive. Also, in the true democratic sense it's very robust. We are also very proud. In fact, you are right, many of the refugees, around 60 million refugees in the diaspora, could learn something from Tibetan democracy, and

Foreign Affairs committee  Sure, I will do the introductions. [Witness speaks in Tibetan] I just felt that it was important that I say a few words in Tibetan, since I represent the Central Tibetan Administration and reflect the aspirations of six million Tibetans. It's an honour and privilege to be he

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you very much.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  It is for your committee to decide on the issue of reciprocity. We don't have a firm stand on whether or not to ban others from coming to Canada, but I think there should be reciprocity in the sense that, if Chinese diplomats have access all over Canada, then Canadian diplomats s

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Yes, you can divide China into areas of Han Chinese, Tibetans, and other “minorities.” In the Chinese area, for example in Hong Kong, there is one country with two systems there. In Macau, there is one country with two systems. Shanghai has a special economic zone. Shenzhen has s

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  As another member previously said, on the one hand, it's a sad story. For example, in the 1960s, along with the destruction of monasteries and nunneries, four things were banned or discouraged—religion, culture, language.... Tibetans were even made to wear suits like those worn b

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I think you are asking an obvious question, and I think the answer is resoundingly yes. As per the conditions and as per the requirements, I think the Central Tibetan Administration, if allowed, and if not, a Canadian-based NGO, could apply for the grant and if granted it would