By Phuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, December 11: Tibetan NGOs and Tibet Support Groups yesterday carried out various campaigns around the world marking the International Human Rights Day and the 25th anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize upon His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest pro-independence group in exile, called upon the world leaders and International human rights organizations to review China’s illegal occupation of Tibet and their current policies.
Tenzing Jigme, President of Tibetan Youth Congress said, “The systematic continuous violations of human rights laws by the Chinese government in Tibet should be a cause of concern for all nations that work towards promoting human rights. Today the people of China, Tibet, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mongols and Uyghurs are all rising for freedom, equality and democracy.”
TYC also noted that the situation inside Tibet remains tense and is in its most critical period as the world commemorates International Human Rights Day.
“It is time the corrupt Chinese Government realized that their days are numbered and should therefore review their hard line policies and move towards making positive reforms according to the wishes and demands of the people,” Jigme added.
Meanwhile, Tibetans across the world joined with Uyghurs, Southern Mongolians and Chinese in demonstrations demanding the release of Tulku Tenzin Delek, Uyghur scholar Ilham Tohti, Southern Mongolian activist Hada and Chinese Nobel Peace laureate Liu Xiaobao.
The campaign titled ‘Freedom Heroes’ was organized by Students for a Free Tibet and coordinated by International Tibet Network.
“Growing repression by China has only led to growing resistance in China, Tibet, Southern Mongolia and now across its shore in Hong Kong and Taiwan. This clearly indicates the decaying of China’s grip and China cannot remain unseen to this reality. Despite the seeming growth of China’s power, it still remains one of the worst authoritarian regimes,” said Tenzin Jigdal, International Coordinator of International Tibet Network. “China must heed to those voices of freedom and seek to genuinely address them.”
December 10 is celebrated as the International Human Rights Day commemorating the United Nations’ 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “Human Rights 365,” this year’s theme encompasses the idea that every day is Human Rights Day.
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize upon His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Women’s Association launched a campaign ‘See You in Lhasa’. “Through this campaign, TWA would like to remind and request our brothers and sisters to live with a dream of going back home,” said Tashi Dolma, President of Tibetan Women’s Association.
“We have been here in exile for more than five decades as refugees and we will not remain as one forever,” Dolma added.
As a part of this campaign, TWA produced ‘See You in Lhasa’ wording badges, bags and phone ringtones.
