Sep 13, 2012

Tibet: RTYC Demonstration At Chinese Embassy In Brussels


In support of the Tibetan struggle for freedom and human rights, UNPO participated in the recent protest by the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of Belgium, together with other supporters of the Tibetan cause.

Below is a press release written by By Dennis Barbion (RTYC):

Due to the continuing repression in Tibet and the crackdown on the Tibetans by the Chinese government, the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC) of Belgium organized a demonstration in front of the Chinese embassy in Brussels on Wednesday 12th September 2012.

20 people in total participated in the demonstration. Among them were 4 Western Tibet supporters. There was also one representative of UNPO, the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (http://www.unpo.org/), to express their support for the Tibetan people. From a very good source we know that, although there were not so many people at the demonstration, this action has upset the people working at the Chinese embassy. During the demonstration several people visited the embassy, so they also witnessed the protest in front of the embassy. The action ended with one minute of silence for the Tibetan victims who died under the Chinese rule and the singing of the Tibetan national anthem.

Since March 2011, already 51 Tibetans have set themselves on fire publicly in Tibet, as a desperate cry for more freedom, for the return of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to Tibet (who lives in exile since 1959), and as a signal for a peaceful solution of the Tibetan issue to the world leaders, organizations such as the United Nations, and the international community.

The peaceful demonstrations in Tibet in 2008 on the occasion of the Beijing Olympics always were forcibly and violently suppressed by the Chinese government. The repression has worsened ever since. Tibet nowadays is like a huge Chinese prison for Tibetans who are living there, with hundreds of thousands of Chinese soldiers and numerous police and checkpoints. Since March 2011 there have been 51 known self-immolations.

The RTYC Belgium finds that it’s more than enough and that the global desire for freedom and democracy should also manifest in Tibet, with respect for human rights. 

With the demonstration, the RTYC Belgium demanded:

- that the United Nations send an independent observer to Tibet to determine the human rights violations and other abuses, and the inhuman living conditions of the Tibetans, so that these can be condemned and resolved globally;

- that the world leaders and bodies such as the European Parliament and the United Nations take thorough measures for a peaceful and sustainable solution for Tibet, and for stability and peace in the region;

- that the negotiations can be started again between the Chinese government and representatives of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile to preserve the basic rights of the Tibetans in their country, to preserve the Tibetan culture, to obtain religious freedom, and to respect human rights;  

- the release of all political prisoners, like the 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima.

The RTYC Belgium calls upon all regional, national and European politicians and the general public to learn about the real situation in Tibet and to take action to support the peaceful struggle for freedom in Tibet.