As the Olympic torch makes its way toward London and the 2012 Summer Games, the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE) has organized a worldwide “Flame of Truth” Relay sponsored by United Nations for a Free Tibet. The relay began on 6 July, the birthday of H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama, and will be making its way around India from Leh, Ladakh to Shillong, Meghalaya and Cochin, Kerala.
Participants will also travel through hundreds of cities around the world to raise awareness about the ongoing human rights crisis and to show solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet, finally finishing on 10 December, UN Human Rights Day. Hundreds of thousands of signatures and appeal letters will be collected along the flame route.
This relay has targeted the UN Secretary General in New York, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and the UN Information Center in New Delhi, demanding that the United Nations intervene immediately on behalf of Tibet and hold China to the same standard of human rights as any other country. It calls for an independent, international fact-finding delegation to be sent immediately to investigate the ongoing crisis in Tibet.
On 24 July, “Flame of Truth” arrived in Dharamsala. Members of the local legislative assembly spoke on behalf of the Indian population, assuring their support for the Tibetan cause. On 26 July a grand reception was held for “Flame of Truth” at Tsuglhakang Temple. Many prominent members of the CTA took part in this reception, including the Kalon Tripa, Dr. Lobsang Sangay.
In a speech to the crowd of supporters, Dr. Sangay reiterated calls for an international fact-finding delegation to visit Tibet, saying that the recent self-immolations are a political protest against the Chinese government. Since 2009, 45 Tibetans have set themselves on fire demanding freedom in Tibet and the return of the Dalia Lama from exile.
Speaker of the Parliament-in-Exile, Mr. Penpa Tsering, called on Tibetans and supporters to take wholehearted part in the torch relay, and announced that the relay will be launched in Europe and North America on 2 September, Tibetan Democracy Day.
“Flame of Truth” will be in Dharamsala for 5 to 6 days holding its signature campaign.
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