Dharamshala, India — “We have come from the Czech Republic to express our support for a free Tibet. Tibet and the Czech Republic have had good relations since our first democratic president and His Holiness the Dalai Lama were good friends. We will continue this relationship,” said Mr Jiri Oberfalzer, Vice President of the Czech Senate.
On March 10, 2022, in the afternoon, after the official commemoration of the 63rd anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising Day held in Tsuglagkhang, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala, the Czech parliamentary delegation led by Mr Jiri Oberfalzer, Vice President of the Czech Senate, conducted a press conference in the Lhakpa Tsering Hall of the DIIR, on the issue of Tibet and the relations between the Czech Republic and Tibet.
“My message is simple, we have come from the Czech Republic to express our support for a free Tibet. Tibet and the Czech Republic have had good relations since our first democratic president Václav Havel and His Holiness the Dalai Lama were good friends. We will continue this relationship,” said Mr Jiri Oberfalzer, Vice President of the Czech Senate.
“Both Tibet and the Czech Republic have gone through the same experience, we understand very well that life under oppression, loss of one's own country, suppression of culture and especially of freedom of expression. I hope our support will give you hope,” he continues. “My message to the Tibetans is: keep the hope alive and do not lose it because when you lose hope, you are a loser and you will lose everything. I know it is difficult in such a difficult time, but it is the only way to survive, I mean mentally,” he said when asked about his message to Tibetans.
The foundation of the friendship between the Czech Republic and Tibetans was laid when His Holiness the Dalai Lama first visited the country at the invitation of former President Václav Havel in 2000, and since then, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has visited the country more than seven times in the past 16 years.
Tenzin Lekshay, Spokesperson of Central Tibetan Administration, who was accompanying the delegation thanked them and said, “Your presence at the official commemoration of the 63rd anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising Day means a lot to all Tibetans. Over the years, the leaders and the public of the Czech Republic have consistently shown great support for the Tibetan cause, which encourages the Tibetan people and strengthens our movement for the cause of Tibet.”
