Thomas Hammerberg
Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe.
Thank you for your letter outlining the plight of Tibetan children in exile. Since my election as Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe I intend to give a particular attention to vulnerable groups which are under threat in Europe and child protection remains, therefore, high on my agenda.
Fernando Andresen Guimarães
Member of the Cabinet of President J.M. Barroso, European Commission.
President Barroso has asked me to thank you for your letter of 14 November 2006, enclosing a copy of your book “Child Exodus from Tibet”.
We fully share your concern regarding the recent shooting of Tibetan refugees by China’s People’s Liberation Army on the border between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Nepal. I would like to inform you that this matter has been formally taken up by the EU in the framework of the last session of the EU-China dialogue on human rights held in Beijing on 19 October 2006. At this occasion, the EU urged the Chinese authorities to undertake a thorough investigation of this incident and the Chinese side promised to inform us of the result of this investigation. The EU will follow this serious matter closely until the circumstances of the shooting are brought to light.
The EU remains very concerned by the situation of human rights in Tibet, in particular the preservation of the cultural, religious and linguistic identity of the Tibetan people, as well as the welfare of Tibetan refugees. This issue is not only addressed within the framework of the EU-China dialogue on human rights but also at the highest political level, such as our bilateral summits.
Mr. T. Sangay
SOS Hermann Gmeiner Higher Secondary School Pokhara (Nepal)
Dear Birgit,
Heartiest Congratulations on your wonderful venture !!!
Your efforts have finally paid after months of loving labour and research. We are keenly looking forward to your book. Many gratitudes to you for 'opening' up another chapter in the spread of our History and culture. Please accept my personal thanks and that of our children here at the SOS Hermann Gmeiner School Pokhara for devoting so many years of benevolent service to our Tibetan community. Tashi Delek and best wishes.
(Wednesday, 24 May 2006)