Uprising Day Observed Around the Globe

By Tenzin Samten / March 13, 2020;

Tibetans across the world marked the 61st anniversary of the uprising against Chinese rule in Lhasa on March 10, 1959. In Dharamshala, the seat of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibetans were joined by supporters for the official CTA function held at Tsuglakhang, the main Tibetan temple, which was followed by the protest march organised by the five principal Tibetan non-government organisations.

Tibetans in Dharamshala after the march
Photo: Jamphel Dorjee/Contact

The Chief Guest at the gathering at the temple was the Honorable Frantisek Kopriva, founding member and co-chairperson of the Czech Parliamentary group for Tibet. Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the CTA, in his address recalled the historic moment in Lhasa and also highlighted the international support Tibetans receive today.

Dr Lobsang Sangay, the President of CTA

“All Tibetans, whenever we may be today, understand the significance of 10th March 1959. It marks the beginning of a struggle initiated by ordinary Tibetans in Tibet. Those of who live in exile carve their words in our hearts and commit to making the day a reality when all Tibetans will be together and free in Tibet,” said Sangay.

Tibetan communities and supporters in different parts of the world marked the day.

In the UK, Tibetans and Tibet supporters marched through the streets of central London to the Chinese embassy. Speakers at the demonstration included Tibetan community leaders, UK Member of Parliament Tim Loughton, World Uyghur Congress representative Rahima Mahmut and Tiannanman square survivor Shao Jiang.“This is such an important cause, and remember, you have many friends,” said Tim Loughton. Tibet.net reported that the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich and representative of Office of Tibet, London hoisted the Tibetan national flag.

Congressman Jim McGovern

In the United States, Congressman Jim McGovern released a statement, “Today, I stand with Tibetans all around the world in their struggle to ensure that Tibetans in China can exercise their basic human rights — to speak and teach their language, protect their culture, control their land and water, travel within and outside their country, select their religious leaders and practice their religion as they choose”. He continued, “I am doing all I can as a member of Congress to make sure that United States foreign policy supports that struggle”.

US Speaker, Nancy Pelosi

US Speaker, Nancy Pelosi also released a statement in observance of the Tibetan uprising day, “Every day, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s transcendent message of peace moves us to act. In that spirit, Congress proudly passed the Tibet Policy Act of 2019 a few weeks ago, to reaffirm our bipartisan support for the people of Tibet, and to make clear that it is the policy of the United States that decisions regarding the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should be made solely by Tibetan Buddhist religious leaders and not the Chinese government. Guided by the unwavering voices of the people of Tibet, we will continue working to build a brighter future for every Tibetan man, woman and child and ensure they receive the respect and dignity they deserve”.

In New Delhi, India, members of the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) stormed the Chinese embassy, protesting against their rule in Tibet. Some of them were arrested on the spot by the Delhi police, reports Phayul. According to TYC’s official Facebook page, their regional chapter in North East India has organised a motorcycle rally.

Despite the Cornavirus threat, Tibetans and supporters in Switzerland and Lichtenstein, Italy, Germany, Austria, Mexico, Czech Republic, France, Canada and Australia observed the Tibetan National Uprising day with gatherings, rallies and protests.