Brussels, 17 March: As the three Tibetan activists passed seven days without food in front of the Chinese Embassy in Brussels, a three-member delegate from the European Parliament paid a visit to express their solidarity. Though the hunger strikers have lost upto 5 kilos each their determination and courage remains unabated.

Eva Lichtenberger, member of European Parliament from Austria visited the hunger strikers in the morning and said she is there “to show her solidarity with the three hungers strikers and the Tibetan people.” She said she will raise awareness about this campaign through all her channels and promised her continued support as a member of European Parliament.

In the afternoon, Mr. Marco Pannella and Mr. Marco Cappato, members of
European Parliament from Italy stopped by the hunger strike tent. Mr. Pannella asked the activists not to thank them.

“We thank you for your courage and we are here as your brothers, parents and ancestors. We hope the struggle won't be too long but we are prepared and will continue our support as long as we need to,” he said.

Mr. Cappato, who was instrumental in passing the resolution on Tibet in the European Parliament on 12 March 2009, said that he was inspired by their courage.

“We are by your side in your non-violent struggle for freedom. This is not just your struggle but it is a struggle of the entire humanity and we will be there always,” he added.

“Today, we mark this day when His Holiness the Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetans had to escape into exile because of the Chinese invasion. The suffering inside Tibet remains the same, and in some cases have worsened,” said Tsewang Rigzin, President of TYC.