Russian Federation joins Tibetans for March 10 anniversary

Representative Dr Nawang Rabgyal during the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day event in Moscow, Russia, on March 10, 2013. DHARAMSHALA, March 11: The 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day was observed in the Russian Federation Sunday with prayers, protests, and movie screenings. In the Russian capital city of Moscow, the commemorations began with a prayer service in honour of Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tibet. In his address, Nawang Rabgyal, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States, spoke on the “main causes of the uprising in occupied-Tibet and the nature of the Tibetan struggle for freedom.” The official statement of Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay was read out in Russian. Two documentary films made by the exile Tibetan administration, dubbed into Russian was screened, followed by an interactive session with Representative Rabgyal. A photo exhibition on pre-1959 Tibet was also organised at the White Cloud Culture Center in Moscow. In the afternoon, a prayer service for Tibetans inside Tibet was held at the Open World Center in the city. Later in the evening a vigil was organised in the center of Moscow, near Russian President Administration Office, by a group of Russian human right activists. The protesters carried posters which read, "Tibet is Burning" and "Down with China's policy in Tibet." In the Kalmyk Republic, Tibetans and supporters observed the March 10 anniversary with a prayer service in the morning and a mass meeting later in the day. A number of people gathered at center square of Elista, capital of Kalmyk Republic, carrying the photos of the 107 Tibetan self-immolators who have set themselves on fire protesting China’s occupation. The Chairwoman of Kalmyk Friends of Tibet Society, Antonina Kookueva, spoke on the current situation in Tibet and read out the official statement of Sikyong Dr Sangay. A signature campaign was also held to express solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet. The 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day was also observed in the Tuva Republic and Buryat Republic with prayers and protests. Sikyong Sangay in his official statement called on Tibetans to “re-dedicate ourselves to the brave struggle started by the selfless elder generation” and paid tribute to all those who have sacrificed their lives for Tibet." “The occupation and repression in Tibet by the government of the People’s Republic of China are the primary conditions driving Tibetans to self-immolation. Tibetans witness and experience China’s constant assault on Tibetan Buddhist civilisation, their very identity and dignity,” the de facto Tibetan prime minister said. “The prohibitions of peaceful protest and harsh punishments compel Tibetans to resort to self-immolation. They choose death rather than silence and submission to the Chinese authorities.”