That the Parliament notes with concern the reported 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck the holy city of Shigatse in Tibet on the morning of 7 January 2024 and was felt across the Himalayas, including in neighbouring Nepal, Bhutan and northern India; recognises the importance of Shigatse in Tibetan culture and its status in Tibetan Buddhism as the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, the second highest spiritual leader after the Dalai Lama; notes that 2025 will mark 30 years since the Chinese regime reportedly kidnapped the then six-year-old Panchen Lama and his family and that no evidence of their status has been provided by the regime since then; is saddened by initial reports that state that at least 95 people have lost their lives due to the earthquake, with a further 130 injured, and calls on the Chinese Government to allow the Dalai Lama to return to his homeland to provide support and comfort to the people of Shigatse.
Supported by:
Karen Adam, Colin Beattie, Ariane Burgess, Maggie Chapman, Joe FitzPatrick, Bill Kidd, Gillian Mackay, John Mason, Kevin Stewart, Mercedes Villalba