Dharamshala — Central Tibetan Administration commemorated 36th anniversary of conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Human Rights Day in Dharamshala. Delegation from Chile stated: "We reject China's illegitimate claims regarding the recognition of the next Dalai Lama. We denounce China's occupation of Tibet and its serious human rights violations, including the destruction of monasteries, forced displacement, restrictions on freedoms, and the forced assimilation of nearly one million Tibetan children. We urge the international community to take action to protect Tibetan culture and identity."
Central Tibetan Administration commemorated 36th anniversary of conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Human Rights Day, on December 10, 2025, in the presence of international delegations from the Czech Republic, Australia, France, Chile, New Zealand and Fiji, at Thekchen Choeling Tsuglakhang in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India.
The ceremony attended by top leaderships of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and international delegations, students and Tibetans around the Dharamshala. The Czech delegation including Senator Jitka Seitlová (Vice President of the Czech Senate), Senator Jiří Růžička, Senator Přemysl Rabas, and Senator Břetislav Rychlík, as well as Matyáš Nataniel Barotek (Advisor to the Vice-President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic), Jiří Krbec (Director of the International Relations Department of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic), and interpreter Zdeněk Hofman. Deputy Pavel Žáček; Deputy Head of Mission Kateřina Petersen (Czech Embassy, New Delhi); Kateřina Bursíková Jacques (Member of the Czech Tibet Support Group); actress Eva Holubová (Member of the Czech Tibet Support Group); Martin Hála (Sinologist, Director, and member of Sinopsis); Kateřina Procházková (Analyst, media coordinator, and member of Sinopsis); David Gardas (Sinologist, analyst, and member of Sinopsis); cameraman Jiří Kubík; film editor and sound engineer Jiří Strnad; and Jana Vaclavíková (Journalist at the public Czech Radio news service). They were accompanied by Representative Thinley Chukki.
The Australian delegation consisted of Senator Barbara Pocock, MP Kate Chaney, and MP Sarah Jane Witty, along with their spouses. From New Zealand, MP Greg Fleming and MP Duncan Alexander Webb attended the event, while Fiji was represented by MP Virendra Lal. The delegations from the Pacific Islands were accompanied by Representative Karma Singey and Dr. Zoë Bedford from the Australia Tibet Council, and were joined by a team from ABC News.
Accompanied by Representative Jigme Tsering, the delegation from Chile included Senator-elect and Deputy Vlado Mirosevic; Deputy Ana María Gazmuri; Deputy Tomás René Hirsch; Deputy Luis Malla; and members of the Chilean Friends of Tibet: Bárbara Salinas, Catalina Salinas, and Fernando Salinas.
From Latin Europe, French MP Samantha Cazebonne, along with long-time Tibet supporter and activist Guenther Cologna and his wife Lucy Battu from Italy, also attended the commemoration.
Upon the arrival of the distinguished guests, the commemoration began with the singing of the Tibetan and Indian national anthems, followed by a song dedicated to the occasion.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering then read the Kashag's statement to the assembly: "At a time when our world is shrouded in the darkness of conflict, hatred, and fear, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s philosophy of peace, rooted in compassion, wisdom, and a profound sense of universal responsibility, has illuminated a viable path toward genuine and lasting peace. It needs no elaboration that the primary purpose of observing this historic occasion is to devote ourselves to the study and implementation of these timeless teachings."
"His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s philosophy of peace recognizes that human beings exist within an interdependent society, and that the attainment of world peace is contingent upon individuals assuming ethical responsibility toward others and the natural environment, guided by a sense of universal responsibility. His Holiness articulates a three-tiered framework of peace comprising inner peace, societal peace, and world peace. The inception of world peace begins at the individual level, where the cultivation of compassion, virtue, and universal responsibility lays the foundation for societal peace and nurtures an understanding of the oneness of humanity," Sikyong stated.
Representatives from each delegation delivered speeches expressing their admiration for His Holiness's lifelong dedication to the welfare of the Tibetan people, his profound message of peace, non-violence and compassion, and his unwavering commitment to world peace.
MP Virendra Lal spoke of His Holiness's resilience and moral leadership throughout his life, underlining that "from a very young age, His Holiness assumed responsibilities far beyond those of an ordinary child, and that his life, marked by resilience and commitment to peace, continues to inspire the world. Today, on his 90th birthday and the 36th anniversary of his Nobel Peace Prize, we pay tribute not only to the years he has lived, but also to the way he has lived with moral clarity, inner strength and boundless compassion. We offer him our deepest respect, gratitude and prayers that he will continue to guide us."
MP Greg Fleming said: "Over the last few days spent with you, my heart has turned to the importance of your language, your culture and your identity, which must always endure... The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Your light will continue to shine. Hold fast to your language, your culture and your faith, and may the people and land of Tibet prosper forever."
MP Samantha Cazebonne said: ‘My meeting with His Holiness this morning reminded me that peace is based on empathy, dialogue and respect for human dignity. I reaffirm my support for the peaceful aspirations of the Tibetan people, whose culture, resilience and spiritual strength enrich humanity.’
MP Vlado Mirosevic reiterated Chile's solidarity with the Tibetan people and expressed deep concern over human rights violations in Tibet. He stated: "We reject China's illegitimate claims regarding the recognition of the next Dalai Lama. We denounce China's occupation of Tibet and its serious human rights violations, including the destruction of monasteries, forced displacement, restrictions on freedoms, and the forced assimilation of nearly one million Tibetan children. We urge the international community to take action to protect Tibetan culture and identity."
Senator Barbara Pocock expressed Australia's unwavering support and solidarity, stating, "It is a great honour to be here with the Tibetan community for this special celebration. Today, we call for an end to the colonial system of boarding schools in Tibet and the cultural genocide inflicted on Tibetan children. To all the brave Tibetans watching us from Tibet, know that we see you and we stand with you."
Senator Jitka Seitlová spoke of the deep friendship between Tibet and the Czech Republic, based on shared historical experiences. She said, "We were greeted with warm smiles, wonderful people and beautiful weather. We talked about His Holiness's close friend, our first president, Václav Havel, who helped forge the ties between our two nations. Like the previous speakers, I would like to say that we strongly support your efforts to achieve freedom for your religion, culture and national identity. And I think that almost everyone in our country knows and admires your Dalai Lama."
Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile read out it's statement on the commemoration of the 36th anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama and said, "His Holiness has based his campaign for the cause of Tibet solely on non-violent methods and made efforts to reach a resolution of the issue of Tibet through a negotiated settlement. In recognition of his guidance and efforts towards the settlement of all conflicts across this world by non-violent means, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded His Holiness the Nobel Peace Prize on 10 December 1989 in Oslo."
The programme also featured the launch of Kunchok Tsering’s new book, alongside a pictorial volume produced by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile to introduce children to the evolution of Tibetan democracy. Six staff members, each with over 25 years of service, were honoured with recognition awards. The celebration drew to a close with vibrant cultural performances by the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts and students from Tibetan schools.
The programme also included the launch of Kunchok Tsering's new book, as well as an illustrated book produced by the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile to introduce children to the evolution of Tibetan democracy. Six staff members, each with more than 25 years of service, were honoured with recognition awards. The celebration concluded with lively cultural performances by the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts and students from Tibetan schools.
The event concluded with a speech of thanks delivered by Tsering Dhondup, vice-chairman of the Central Ghoton Organising Committee and Secretary of the Department of Finance of the Central Tibetan Administration.
