The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: Italian Confederation of Workers' Trade Unions (CISL) held a roundtable conference on 12th June 2009 at the Centro Congressi Torino Incontra, in Turin, Italy. After the tragic events of last spring, the situation in Tibet has worsened. The only way the Chinese Communist regime could object to the protests was by the repression of every form of dissent. Besides, the economic crisis has made thousands of enterprises in China shut down, causing mass dismissal of migrant workers. Therefore the People's Republic of China is going through a period of great instability, heralding very important changes.

Members from National Democrat Party of Tibet jointed the events. At this time the CISL organization believes “the People’s Republic of China is going through a period of great instability heralding very important changes.”   The roundtable conference was held to investigate the role that Europe and trade unions could play in the betterment of economic and social conditions, and how the final goal of “a free trade Union and a democratic society” could be built in Tibet.

The attendees who participated the meeting included Wei Jingsheng, Chairman of the Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition, Cai Chongguo, activist of China Labour Bulletin, Lukar Sham, Tibetan activist, Chime Yungdrung, President of the National Democratic Party, the General Secretary of CISL, Raffaele Bonanni, and anchorman of Italian Channel RAI2 Bogyallo Mrs. Christiana Ruggeri.

Chime Yung Drung president of National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT), said “Tibet is reeling under the worst period in its history and its experiencing the worst violations of human rights, including social and economic rights. “  The NDPT supports the principles of Free Trade, as it supports the development of human rights.

Mr. Yung Drung said in a press release, “NDPT supports the principles of Free Trade. Hence, NDPT would like to urge members in the current meeting to support on the following points:

First , to create a Tibetan language based economy in Tibet; rather than a Chinese language dominated economy, next  to urge Chinese government to set up independent trade union in Tibet to protect the workers’ right in Tibet. Then, To foster self-reliance and build a local project management teams based on community based organizations (CBOs) through local capacity building in Tibet. And, any development projects in Tibet should conduct feasible study and environmental impact assessments. Finally, in order to sustain exile Tibetan community’s culture, identity and struggle for a long run; the Government of India, Nepal and Bhutan should be urged to give an equal opportunity, access and rights for Tibetan refugees to participate in their respective countries. “

Th press release said, 'as Tibet is reeling under the worst period in its history and it is experiencing the worst violations of human rights, including social and economic rights. NDPT believes that violation of collective socio-economic rights in Tibet is silently taking a gigantic and lethal toll than the visible violations of individual political rights, which are of course grave too.  The violations of socio-economic rights are bringing demographic change in Tibet and it is changing the face of Tibet itself, bringing an early demise to the Tibet issue.  In the last National Convention of NDPT, resolutions were passed to raise the socio-economic issues in Tibet in global forums.  NDPT supports the principles of Free Trade. Hence, NDPT would like to urge members in the current meeting to support on the following points:

1. To create a Tibetan language based economy in Tibet; rather than a Chinese language dominated economy.

2. To urge Chinese government to set up independent trade union in Tibet to protect the workers’ right in Tibet.

3. To foster self-reliance and build a local project management teams based on community based organizations (CBOs) through local capacity building in Tibet.

4. Any development projects in Tibet should conduct feasible study and environmental impact assessments;

5. In order to sustain exile Tibetan community’s culture, identity and struggle for a long run; the Government of India, Nepal and Bhutan should be urged to give an equal opportunity, access and rights for Tibetan refugees to participate in their respective countries. 

Since March 2008 over 220 Tibetans have been killed, 1,294 injured and 290 sentenced, more than 5,600 were arrested or detained and over 1,000 disappeared after the Chinese armed military deadly cracked down in all parts of Tibet.  Newly deployed security forces make life increasingly more difficult for Tibetans to live inside of Tibet.