DHARAMSALA: Dr Franz Pahl, president of Italy's Regional Parliament of Trentino and South Tyrol, has expressed his support for autonomy for Tibet, and a future of peace, respect for its culture and freedom of religion.

On Sunday, 11 May, Dr Pahl was addressing media persons in Dharamshala, on a resolution unanimously passed by the members of Regional Parliament of Trentino and South Tyrol on 16 April, which condemns the repressive policies of the Chinese government in Tibet.

The resolution expressed its solidarity to the Tibetan people, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.

It supports the values of non-violent approach of the Tibetan people.

It called upon the Chinese government to respect the right to freedom of expression and information, and release all political prisoners in Tibet and China.

It asked for a thorough investigation by a respected body to look into the causes of protests in Tibet. It also called on the Chinese government to immediately stop the repression of the Tibetan people and allow free access to international media into Tibet.

It called for an end to the mass influx of Chinese immigrants into Tibet, and destruction of environment and culture of Tibet.

It urges the Italian government and the European Parliament to firmly condemn every human rights violation.

Dolma Gyari, deputy speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile said: "We welcome the support and solidarity expressed by the Regional Parliament of Trentino-South Tyrol, Italy."

"We are also encouraged by the genuine effort of the Regional Parliament in raising the issues concerning Tibetan in general and the recent violence in Tibet," she added.

Also during the press conference, Dr Pahl launched a website - www.thetibetpost.com - which has can be read in Tibetan, English and Chinese version. The website is an initiative of the Press of Tibet, an independent and non-profit media organisation formed on 10 March 2007 by a group of young Tibetans in exile.