A BENDIGO group is disappointed the Tibetan flag will not be allowed to fly from the town hall this week to mark the anniversary of Tibet’s national uprising against Chinese occupation.
The City of Greater Bendigo has rejected a petition by the Australia Tibet Council’s Bendigo action group to raise the flag on Friday, March 10.
The day marks the 47th anniversary since thousands of Tibetans were killed during mass protests against the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959.
Their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and thousands of Tibetan refugees fled into exile in India.
Bendigo councillors felt it would be inappropriate to fly the flag, as it is not recognised by the federal government or the United Nations.
Cr Wayne Gregson said he had enormous sympathy for the people of Tibet.
‘‘However, if you fly a flag for non-government, where does it stop?” ‘‘Our policy perfectly blends with the federal government and the UN.” He said council also recognised the sensitivities about the flag among the Chinese community.
Cr Gregson said the decision was not about bowing down to the might of the Chinese Government.’‘However, they are partners in some of the things we do in Bendigo and they are due some respect for their views.”The Australia Tibet Council’s Bendigo group spokesman, Peter Smith, said he understood council’s position, but noted other councils had flown the Tibetan flag to mark the anniversary.
Mr Smith said though the flag may not be recognised by the federal government, it was a powerful symbol of the freedom Tibetans yearn for.
‘‘It’s a little sad that raising a simple flag could do some harm, when you compare it to the harm that has been done to the Tibetan people over the past 47 years.”Mr Smith said raising the flag was not aimed at upsetting the Chinese community.
The Bendigo Chinese Association’s Russell Jack said he could not speak for the entire Chinese community about whether they would be offended by the raising of the flag.
He said as a non-political organisation, the association would not get involved in any controversy.
‘‘Whatever happens in the future we will be playing it low key anyway,” he said.
The Bendigo action group will instead raise the Tibetan flag at 7.30 am on Friday at Eaglehawk’s Atisha Centre. It will also have a stall in Hargreaves Mall from 11 am to 2 pm, with information about the group and the present Tibet situation.
