Tibetans living in Switzerland and their Swiss friends and supporters met in the capital city of Berne on Thursday, 10th March 2005. Due to the on-going session of Swiss parliament, city police didn’t permit the participants to gather on the Bundesplatz, a square in front of the Swiss parliament house. Waisenhausplatz, a nearby square was the meeting place. At around 10.30 a.m. participants arrived from different places largely in traditional Tibetan attires carrying Tibetan National Flags and placards. The Swiss parliamentarians have worn a badge of Tibetan National flag on that morning from 7.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. and, the Tibetan National flags were raised in forty Swiss town-halls and municipalities to commemorate the 46th Anniversary of the 30th March 1959 uprising in Tibet.
Mr. Chhime R. Choekyapa, the Representative of Tibet Office in Geneva read the 10th March message of H.H. the Dalai Lama to a gathering of about 350 people, followed by speech of Mr. Mario Fehr, member of Swiss Parliament and the Chairman of Swiss Parliament Group for Tibet. Mr. Fehr, in his usual clear and brief speech, declared that this year is going to be a very significant year with the celebration of His Holiness’ 70th Birthday feted with numerous activities on Tibet. He was also looking forward to His Holiness’ visit to Switzerland this summer and an official reception by the Swiss government, first since 1995.
The protest march then proceeded from Waisenhausplatz to the Helevetiaplatz, where the representatives of the Tibetan organisations spoke to the gathering. Mrs. Tenzin W. Drongshar of Swiss Tibetan Women’s Association drew attention to the systematic violation of women’s rights in general and the forced sterilization and abortion in particular in Tibet by the Chinese occupying force. She also pointed out the big role played by Tibetan nuns in the struggle for Tibetan freedom. The official reason for the ultimate death of the nuns while still under incarceration as a result of torture and harsh abuse as suicide is unacceptable as, “it (suicide) is considered dishonourable in Buddhist culture”.
Tenzin Sewo, President of Tibetan Youth Association in Europe reminded the gathering that the 10th March uprising was the determination of Tibetan people to fight for it’s sovereignty, identity and freedom. The building of railways through the heart of Tibet and to develop Tibet into an exotic tourist land not only accelerate the destruction of Tibetan religion and cultural heritage and but also threaten the obliteration of Tibetan identify. The respect and recognition that china received from the international community due to its military and economic potential is not deserved and, “such a recognition is no less than indirect encouragement of the systematic violation of basic human rights by the Chinese regime”.
Dr. Ruth Gonseth, President of Swiss Tibetan Friendship Association mentioned the organising of Tibetan National Flag Campaign in the Swiss Parliament and the town-halls and municipalities. She also announced that the association is launching a campaign to bring awareness of the importers and manufacturers of commercial goods regarding the source of the products and to find out if these were produced by workers safeguarded by international labour rights and under conditions provided with basic human rights. She also drew the awareness of the public to consider when buying manufactured goods like toys and garments.
Mr. Lobsang Gangshongtsang, President of Tibetan Community in Switzerland and the Principality of Lichtenstein reiterated the non-voilence path of peaceful resolution of Tibet Question propounded by H.H. the Dalai Lama and made a point, “in the age of atomic menace, a political culture based on promotion of principle of non-violence as followed by the Tibetans under the leadership of H.H. the Dalai Lama is the need of the hour”.
After half an hour’s march from Helvetiaplatz to the Embassy of People’s Republic of China on the Kalchegweg, the memorandum texts in Tibetan as well as in German were read out in front of the Embassy compound and later proceed to present it to the Chinese Ambassador. As customary, the Embassy was closed (even with shutters down) and the memorandum was posted in the mailbox in accompaniment of security forces of Berne police.
In the memorandum, concerns and anxiety regarding
– the safety and well-being of Panchen Rinpoche and Tulku Tenzin Delek
– hindrance of development and free unfolding of rich cultural and religious heritage of Tibet
were expressed. And, demanded
– the release of all the political prisoners in Tibet
– suspension of all the so-called “Economic Projects” in Tibet whose true aim is to marginalise the Tibetans and to serve the purpose of the Chinese settlers and to build the infrastructure for the occupying forces
– PRC to consider seriously the “Middle Way” proposed by HHDL and to take advantage of this opportunity to find a peaceful solution of Tibet problem.
After chanting of Prayers of Long Life and the Words of Truth followed by Rise-Up song, the gathering dispersed with the shouting of slogans, “We Want Dialogue”; “Tibet Belongs to Tibet”; “China raus aus Tibet”; “Long Live Dalai Lama”; “Böd Rangzen Tsangma Yin” etc.
The weather was bright and beautiful but the grievousness of the occasion could not be overlooked.
