CTA’s Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) Kalon Norzin Dolma wrapped up a successful visit to Brussels, Belgium on 12th and 13th December, 2023.

Kalon (Minister) Norzin Dolma of the Department of Information and International Relations-CTA received a warm welcome reception from Representative Rigzin Choedon Genkhang, staff members of The Office of Tibet, Brussels, and representatives from various Tibetan Community Associations in Belgium, including Tibetan Community Association, U-Tsang Association, Chushi Gangdruk Association, Domey Association, Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, and Regional Tibetan Women’s Association at the Brussels airport on 12th December 2023.  Following that, Tibetan Associations hosted a dinner reception in honor of Kalon Norzin Dolma later in the evening.

On 13th December, Kalon met with Ms. Els van Hoof, Chair, Foreign Affairs Committee, and Belgian Federal Parliament and her staffers for an hour-long discussion and shared future engagements.

Ms. Els Van affirmed that she will raise the Tibetan issue on the platform of Inter Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC).  The IPAC is an international cross-party group of legislators working towards reform on how democratic countries approach China. She is also very much concerned about the Colonial style Boarding School and CCP’s recent move to replace Tibet into Xizang.

During the hour-long meeting, Kalon Norzin Dolma echoed concern over critical situation inside Tibet, the current status of the Central Tibetan Administration, international relations concerning Tibet, and Tibetan expectations of the international community. She credited the relevance of the Tibetan cause to the moral leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the resilience of the Tibetans inside Tibet, efforts of the Tibetan diaspora, and the support of the international community.

Furthermore, Kalon highlighted the grim situation inside Tibet and underscored the harsh policies implemented by the Beijing government such as undermining the religious rights and freedom and targeting monasteries which they consider as “a hotbed of dissent” to the most recent policy of coerced admission of Tibetan children into colonial-style boarding schools indoctrinating children with revised history and prioritising Chinese language. Affirming the committed stance of the CTA to seeking the resolution of the Sino-Tibet conflict using the Middle-Way Policy, Memorandum of Genuine Autonomy and other relevant notes, she said it addressed the fundamental concerns of both the Chinese government and the Tibetan people.

In the afternoon, Kalon also met with Belgian Government Officials and staffers where they discussed wide range of pressing issues on Tibet. While affirming the Central Tibetan Administration’s firm commitment to dialogue to resolve the Tibet issue, she reiterated that CTA will not shy away from calling out the Chinese leadership for its current repressive policies inside Tibet that is causing more harm than benefit. She requested the Belgian Government Officials to appoint the EU Representative or a Special Coordinator on Tibet, sought a budget line to sustain the Tibet’s unique culture, language and identity. She also raised about the Tibetan Weekend Language and Cultural School’s classroom problem and requested to support the Tibetans living in Belgium.

DIIR Kalon is being accompanied by Representative Genkhang Rigzin Choedon and Secretary Thinley Wangdue of the Office of Tibet, Brussels during her entire meeting. On 13th Decemer, before departure to Paris, Kalon made a short visit to the Office of Tibet, Brussels. Later in the evening Kalon Norzin Dolma being accompanied by Representattive Genkhang Rigzin Choedon of the Office of Tibet, Brussels left Brussels to continue her Official engagement in Paris.