European Parliament
The European Parliament Tibet Intergroup
The primary goal of setting up an inter-parliamentary Group is to promote broader international recognition of the Tibetan problem especially on the following issue:
- To improve the respect for the human rights in Tibet.
- To draw the attention to the unresolved issue of Tibet in the dialogues between the European countries and China.
- Together with other Inter-Parliamentary Tibet Groups in the European countries and the European Parliament Tibet Intergroup to support creation of the position of a "Coordinator for Tibetan issues" in the EU which would actively encourage the dialogue between His Holiness the Dalai Lama or his representatives with the People's Republic of China.
- To urge the EU and the member state governments to use the present contacts between the EU and the Chinese government as means to encourage the PRC leadership to strive further its contacts with the representatives of the Dalai Lama in order to promote a rapid and lasting peaceful solution to the Tibetan problem.
- The Tibet Workgroup intends to thoroughly address the Tibetan problem and place its suggestions on the agenda of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Through such efforts, the Belgian Government can together with the European countries and the EU take further steps in supporting Tibetan people's self-determination and the recognition to the Tibetan Government in-exile as the singular and legitimate representative of the Tibetan people.
A French member of the European Parliament, Monsieur Michel Hervé, started the Tibet Intergroup in 1989. When Monsieur Michel Hervé left the European Parliament after elections in 1994, Mr. James Moorehouse decided to re-structure the Intergroupe with five co-presidents: James Moorehouse, Jannis Sakellariou, Jessica Larrive, Adelaïde Aglietta, Olivier Dupuis.
After the election in 1999 the Tibet Intergroup has as its new president, Mr. Thomas Mann, and as vice-presidents, Mrs. Ulla Sandbaek, Mr. Reinhold Messner, Mrs. Marieke Sanders Ten-Holte. After the reconstitution Mr. Thomas Mann decided to preside the chair for the 6th term.
- to create opportunities for informal discussion amongst MEPs who are interested in the situation in Tibet.
- to provide information on the subject for parliamentary and political colleagues and the public in general.
- to encourage various forms of political action by the EU.
On December 14 2004, Mr. Thomas Mann, MEP, announced the re-establishment of the European Parliament's Intergroup for Tibet after gaining the support of 120 MEPs and three of the party groups in the new parliament. This was a particularly important seal of approval for the group, as the number of proposed intergroups had increased enormously following the enlargement of the European Union in May 2004
Contact
Mr Thomas Mann, President, E
