DHARAMSHALA, January 9: The largest pro independence group of the Tibetan Diaspora today announced its peace march campaign from Dharamshala, the virtual capital of the Tibetan exiles, to the Indian capital New Delhi marking 55 years of exile and the 55th Tibetan national uprising day.
The walk that is expected to cover a distance of about 600km from February 8 to March 10 will be participated by 55 people, each symbolizing “a dark and painful year under Chinese rule.”
At a press briefing today at the TYC headquarteres, Tenzing Jigme, President of Tibetan Youth Congress, said, “As the situation inside Tibet remains critical, and since Tibetans inside Tibet and in exile have high hopes on Tibetan Youth Congress because of the current dire situation inside Tibet, Tibetan Youth Congress had decided to initiate this Tibetan Uprising March campaign in solidarity with the Tibetan self-immolators and Tibetans inside Tibet.”
“There have been 125 known cases of self-immolations on the plateau. These brave men and women who set themselves on fire have called for the ‘return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet’, ‘independence for Tibet’ and ‘freedom in Tibet’ etc,” said Jigme.
The TYC president expressed regret at China’s failure to address the issue of self immolation protests in Tibet. “Instead of addressing the demands of these courageous Tibetans, the Chinese government has tightened its control over Tibet and vehemently criticizes the Tibetan spiritual teacher His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”
Following the Uprising March, the youth group will present a memorandum outlining five demands to the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi and submit appeals to the United Nations and embassies of other nations.
The Five demands include the release of all Tibetans political prisoners, allowing international media in Tibet and response to the aspirations of Tibetan self-immolators positively.
On March 10, 1959, Tibetans in the capital city of Lhasa rose up against the Chinese occupying forces, leading to the death of thousands of Tibetans and the eventual escape of the Dalai Lama into exile. Each year, Tibetans observe the day as the National Uprising Day all over the world.
