Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC), Dharamshala remembers 23 May 2004 as the 53rd anniversary of the 17 Point Agreement, which has signed between Tibet and China. This controversial document conclusively shows that it was an agreement between two independent and sovereign states. Tibetan officials were compelled to sign the agreement with serious threat for further military operation against Tibet leading to potentially large-scale destruction and ruins. Tibetans of own free will never accepted this agreement. The consent of the government was not sought, even the Tibetan seal which was affixed to the agreement was not an authentic seal of the Tibetan government but duplicated personal seals of thee Tibetan representative made in Peking, China.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama made a vivid statement against 17 Point Agreement at Tezpur in 1959 that though the agreement was made under pressure of the Chinese Government, a 17 Point agreement was made between China and Tibet. In that agreement, the suzerainty of China was forced to accept as there was no alternative left for the Tibetans. However, in the agreement, it was stated that Tibet would enjoy full autonomy though the control of external and defense were in the hands of the Chinese Government, it was agreed that there would be no interference by the Chinese Government on the Tibetan religion customs and her internal administration. In fact, after the occupation of Tibet by the Chinese, the terms and conditions of the 17 Point Agreement were not practically implemented and the Tibetan Government did not enjoy any measure of autonomy even in internal matters.
The 17 Point agreement one case that clearly expounds how the issue of Tibet has been ignored in the international communities, the contemporary deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet and voice injustice victims unheard.
Today, RTYC Dharamshala expresses its deep gratitude to communities that took and taking initiatives/consideration towards human rights of the Tibetan people. And we call upon all other international communities and the United Nation to support truth, justice and peace of the entire world. If there had not been any changes in Tibet issues soon in future, the time is not very far when Tibet faces great danger of racial extinction.
Save Tibet before China fully razes the identity of Tibet.
Nyima Wangmo (Mrs.)
(General Secretary)
23 May 2004
Event: Free distribution of books (information on Tibet issues, history and on 17 Point Agreement) at Mcleod Ganj bus stand.
