[17 March 2016] On 10 March 2016, the 57th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising, Tibetans and Tibet supporters gathered in central London for a series of events. The commemorations began with a wreath-laying ceremony at Westminster Abbey, followed by a protest outside the Chinese Embassy and a march through central London. The day culminated with an evening programme of speeches and cultural performances.
“A mere palm of the hand cannot hide the sun.” (The 14th Dalai Lama) Wreath-laying ceremony | Rally | March | Evening of Commemoration Wreath-laying ceremony Reverend Stanton began the ceremony by reminding those gathered that as well as remembering those who died in 1959, we must “remember those Tibetans who have died recently in Tibet, and those who suffer there today”. Tim Loughton MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet, spoke on how the Tibetan cause was not just of a remote people in a faraway corner of the world, but of all humanity, and to “all of us who believe in, and nurture, freedom and liberty”. He spoke of how “the voices of free Tibetans were stifled” during last year’s State Visit of President Xi Jinping, and how it was “to our shame” that Western democracies “kowtowed” in the face of Chinese government pressure. The wreath was laid by Tim Loughton MP. Also in attendance were Sir Peter Bottomley MP, Steve McCabe MP and Lord Steel of Aikwood. (The wreath-laying ceremony was organised by Tibet Society on behalf of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet.) Uprising Day Rally The rally began with a minute’s silence in remembrance of those who died during the 1959 Uprising and subsequently as a result of China’s occupation. In the welcoming speech Penpa Sirso, from the Tibetan Community in Britain, also highlighted the recent self-immolations of Dorjee Tsering and Kalsang Wangdu.
During his impassioned speech, Lobsang Tsering declared it was “time for us to walk together” and that, “We need to call for justice and for an end of Chinese rule in Tibet.” The final speaker at the rally was Ellen Lees, Director of Students for a Free Tibet UK. Ms Lees called out the UK government for its “shameless”kowtowing to China. She urged those gathered to use all available “tools and opportunities” to help the Tibetan cause and to “shout as loud and as long as you can” for Tibetan freedom. Following the speeches, Tsering Passang, Chairman of the Tibetan Community in Britain, attempted to deliver a letter to the Chinese Ambassador. As in previous years, the Embassy staff refused to open the door and accept the letter. The letter was posted instead. (The rally was organised by the Tibetan Community in Britain.) Uprising Day Peace March Under clear skies, the march wound its way past a number of famous London landmarks including Oxford Circus, Regents Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, along Whitehall and past Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament. Leaflets were handed out to inform passers-by of the Tibet issue and to encourage participation. Chants of “Human rights in Tibet” and “Long live the Dalai Lama” were called with passion during the two-hour walk to the destination of Westminster Cathedral Hall. (The march was organised by the Tibetan Community in Britain with assistance from Tibet Society.) Evening of Commemoration
Chonpel Tsering, the Dalai Lama’s Representative to the UK and Northern Europe, then read extracts from the Sikyong’s 10 March statement. (The Sikyong is the equivalent of Prime Minister and is the head of the Tibetan government in exile.)
After conveying gratitude to all those who have supported the Tibet cause, both for the freedom of those in Tibet and for the welfare of those in exile, the Sikyong declared, “May there be immediate resolution to the issue of Tibet. Above all, may the day for the union of Tibetans inside and outside Tibet emerge swiftly.”
Mr Baker quoted the Dalai Lama, “A mere palm of the hand cannot hide the sun.” Mr Baker added to the quote saying, “For the light of truth, the light of humanity, the light of freedom can never be extinguished by the darkness of lies, of inhumanity and of oppression.”
Mr Loughton concluded by calling on those gathered to “affirm ourselves to the cause of Tibet, the Tibetan people and the principles of liberty, peace and cultural and religious tolerance with which they are synonymous.”
Ma Jian said that during the Chinese President’s visit to London last October, he was “incredibly moved by those Tibetans who came out and raised their voices against the totalitarian state.” He added, “I was shocked by the hollow voices of support of the paid-for crowds of Chinese supporting Xi.” In conclusion, Ma said, “But I still have a hope in my heart because I see in you all here the new generation, the real Tibet is still living very much in you.”
Ms Saunders said, “Now we are witness to a new and momentous struggle… by a new generation of Tibetans inside Tibet.” She added there is a “new sense of urgency for political change” amongst the new generation, who are “connected by a strong sense of solidarity, a pride in their cultural and religious identity.” One of the writers Ms Saunders quoted was Shogdung, who was jailed for six months for publishing a book about the 2008 protests, which Shogdung described as “a re-awakening of Tibetan national consciousness and solidarity.” In his banned book, which Ms Saunders said has been translated into English and is due to published in the UK later this year, Shogdung wrote, “That revolution starting from the 10 March anniversary in Lhasa was like a stone thrown into a pond, sending ripples out in all directions, with all kinds of manifestations from the monasteries to the towns, from… the highland pastures to the valley pathways, like stars twinkling in the sky or flowers blooming from the earth.”
View more photos from wreath-laying ceremony (via facebook) |
||||
|
||||
Tibet Society, the world’s first Tibet support group, was founded in 1959. Funded by its members, it has been working for over 50 years to seek justice for Tibet through parliamentary lobbying, campaigns and actions. Help keep Tibet alive by joining Tibet Society today. Annual membership £24; Family £36; Life £500.
|