On Monday 10th March Tibetans and their supporters will mark the anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan Uprising with colourful public events in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane.
Highlights will include a peace march in Sydney from Circular Quay to the Chinese Consulate in Camperdown, a special public screening of ‘Dreaming Lhasa’ in Melbourne and candlelight vigils in Brisbane and Canberra. (See below for full details.)
Coming just five months before the Beijing Olympics and amidst heightened media attention on China, this annual day of action carries an added sense of urgency for Tibetans this year.
‘China is determined to use the Beijing Olympics to enhance its international reputation. But in Tibet, China’s continued policies of repression and exploitation are threatening the very survival of Tibetan culture’ said Paul Bourke, Executive Officer of the Australia Tibet Council.
Recent months have witnessed an increase in international support for Tibet, beginning with the awarding of a US Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama in Washington D.C. last October. This year’s anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising follows revelations of escalating human rights abuses in Tibet and severe damage to the Tibetan environment from aggressive Chinese development policies.
‘More and more people are aware of the toll that China’s policies are taking on the land and people of Tibet. With the world turning its focus to Beijing, China is risking international condemnation over its human rights and environmental record.’
Australia’s Tibetan communities, together with the Australia Tibet Council, are calling on China to enter into sincere dialogue with the Dalai Lama and begin working constructively towards a peaceful resolution of the Tibet issue.
‘It is time for China to be more pragmatic in its approach to Tibet. The Dalai Lama is one of the world’s most revered spiritual leaders. China must talk to the Dalai Lama and resolve the situation in Tibet if is to gain the international respect and recognition it craves.’
For further information, images and to arrange an interview, Contact: Simon Bradshaw 0404 859 806 / sbradshaw@atc.org.au
FULL DETAILS
In Sydney the Tibetan Community of New South Wales will be leading peace march from Circular Quay to the Chinese Consulate in Camperdown. Participants will muster near the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) at noon and arrive at the Chinese Consulate at around 2pm.
In Melbourne the Australia Tibet Council and the Tibetan Community of Victoria will be joining forces for a special event at Northcote Uniting Church. The event will feature a screening of ‘Dreaming Lhasa’ along with brief talks on Tibet, traditional Tibetan food and a photo exhibit. Door open at 1pm.
In Brisbane the Australia Tibet Council and the Tibetan Community of Queensland will be joining together for a candlelight vigil in Post Office Square from 5-7pm.
In Canberra the Tibetan Community will be holding a candlelight vigil at the Chinese Embassy on Coronation Drive from 6pm.
