The representative of the Dalai Lama in Kolozsvár/Cluj napoca: our dignity can only be preserved if our human rights are respected
The memory of borders being redrawn over people’s heads still lives in your people. You know what it is like, when they force your culture, traditions, your identity and your whole life under a national identity. You know what it means not to be allowed to use the symbols that bind your community together – Mr. Tashi Phuntsok draw a parallel between the people of Tibet and the Hungarians in Romania during a speech he held in Kolozsvár/Cluj Napoca.
The official representative of the XIV Dalai Lama in the European Union, the head of the Tibetan office in Brussels, arrived for the first time to Transylvania at the invitation of RMDSZ MEP Csaba Sógor, on Friday 7th of April, where he held a presentation on the situation of human rights in Tibet. During the event, Tashi Phuntsok and Csaba Sógor opened the exhibition about the life and work of the Dalai Lama.
No constitution has any meaning whatsoever, without fundamental human rights such as the right to freedom of assembly, or the right to private property. In Tibet, anyone can be indicted without a case. Similarly to the Hungarians in Romania, the Tibetans feel like second-class citizens in their own country, but we know that they are strong and relevant", said Tashi Phuntsok. He quoted Kőrösi Csoma Sándor saying: "Human dignity is my greatest treasure." The representative of the Dalai Lama said: “our dignity can only be preserved by respecting human rights, and that this is true for the Tibetans as well as the Hungarians of Romania.”
MEP Csaba Sógor stated at the event that the shared issues of the people in Tibet and the Hungarians in Transylvania are very important, as the Tibetans – who have the attention of the whole world - are fighting for their rights and the preservation of their culture and values in an exemplary manner, peacefully, via dialogue. "The European Union can only speak credibly at an international level about the importance of the rule of law, fundamental human rights or the protection of minority rights, if the EU member states respected by these rights and set an example for the world to follow. There is still much to be done in Europe for the peaceful coexistence of peoples, and we are constantly trying to point out these shortcomings, and guide EU decision-makers towards a solution" – said the MEP.
On Saturday, Tashi Phuntsok travelled to Szeklerland, attending the events of the Kőrösi Csoma Sándor Days.
