Tibetans
marking 18 years of the 11th Panchen Lama's dissapearance at the McLeod
Ganj Plaza in Dharamshala.
DHARAMSHALA, May 17: Thousands of Tibetans and supporters all over the
world today observed the “International Tibet Solidarity Day,”
coinciding with the 18th anniversary of the 11th Panchen Lama’s
abduction by Chinese authorities.
The solidarity day was called by the Kashag (cabinet) of Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile to symbolise the “international community’s solidarity with the aspirations of the Tibetan people who yearn for freedom and continue to stand strong in the face of great adversity.”
The day also marked 18 years since the 11th Panchen Lama Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, was disappeared in 1995 at the age of six along with his parents. Despite repeated appeals to meet the Panchen Lama and know his whereabouts by world leaders, China has refused to divulge any details and instead placed another boy of its choice as the 11th Panchen Lama.
Organisers said the solidarity day “symbolises his fate and many other Tibetans who continue to be imprisoned and deprived of their basic human rights.”
Speaking at the official function in the Tibetan exile headquarters of Dharamshala, Kalon Pema Chinnjor, Acting Sikyong said Tibetans and supporters are gathering all over the world to “express solidarity with the 11th Panchen Lama and the 117 known cases of Tibetan self-immolations and many other unknown cases of detentions, arrests, deaths, and long sentences under Chinese rule.”
In its official statement, the Tibetan Parliament said Tibetans “remain hopeful that as a result of this day being observed in places across the world, definite appreciable gains will be seen in the furtherance of the Tibetan cause with regard to Tibet’s both immediate and long term religious, political, an ethnic well being.”
“We hope and appeal with utmost earnestness that such support designed to show solidarity with the Tibetan people be continuously strengthened from year to year through making good use of events and occasions like today until the day our just cause is realised.”
The solidarity day was called by the Kashag (cabinet) of Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile to symbolise the “international community’s solidarity with the aspirations of the Tibetan people who yearn for freedom and continue to stand strong in the face of great adversity.”
The day also marked 18 years since the 11th Panchen Lama Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, was disappeared in 1995 at the age of six along with his parents. Despite repeated appeals to meet the Panchen Lama and know his whereabouts by world leaders, China has refused to divulge any details and instead placed another boy of its choice as the 11th Panchen Lama.
Organisers said the solidarity day “symbolises his fate and many other Tibetans who continue to be imprisoned and deprived of their basic human rights.”
Speaking at the official function in the Tibetan exile headquarters of Dharamshala, Kalon Pema Chinnjor, Acting Sikyong said Tibetans and supporters are gathering all over the world to “express solidarity with the 11th Panchen Lama and the 117 known cases of Tibetan self-immolations and many other unknown cases of detentions, arrests, deaths, and long sentences under Chinese rule.”
In its official statement, the Tibetan Parliament said Tibetans “remain hopeful that as a result of this day being observed in places across the world, definite appreciable gains will be seen in the furtherance of the Tibetan cause with regard to Tibet’s both immediate and long term religious, political, an ethnic well being.”
“We hope and appeal with utmost earnestness that such support designed to show solidarity with the Tibetan people be continuously strengthened from year to year through making good use of events and occasions like today until the day our just cause is realised.”
Artistes
of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts perform at the Tsug-la
Khang courtyard in Dharamshala to mark the 'International Tibet
Solidarity Day' on May 17, 2013.
In honor of the two recent Tibetan self-immolators Lobsang Dawa, 20 and
Kunchok Woeser, 23, who died in their fiery protest in Amdo province of
eastern Tibet on April 24, a mass prayer service was organised by the
Department of Religion and Culture at the Tsug-la Khang, the main temple
in Dharamshala.
Since 2009, as many as 117 Tibetans living under China’s rule have set themselves on fire calling for freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.
Coinciding with the solidarity day events, day-long exhibitions on the ‘History of Tibet,’ ‘A Long Look Homeward,’ and a special exhibition on the wave of Tibetan self-immolations were organised by the Tibet Museum of Department of Information and International Relations.
A brief presentation on the life of the 11th Panchen Lama Gedun Choekyi Nyima was also made by Tsangtruk Topla, a teacher at the Central College for Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah.
The Dharamshala regional chapters of the Tibetan Youth Congress and Tibetan Women’s Association also marked the day by calling upon China to release the Panchen Lama and his parents.
Since 2009, as many as 117 Tibetans living under China’s rule have set themselves on fire calling for freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.
Coinciding with the solidarity day events, day-long exhibitions on the ‘History of Tibet,’ ‘A Long Look Homeward,’ and a special exhibition on the wave of Tibetan self-immolations were organised by the Tibet Museum of Department of Information and International Relations.
A brief presentation on the life of the 11th Panchen Lama Gedun Choekyi Nyima was also made by Tsangtruk Topla, a teacher at the Central College for Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah.
The Dharamshala regional chapters of the Tibetan Youth Congress and Tibetan Women’s Association also marked the day by calling upon China to release the Panchen Lama and his parents.
No comments:
Post a Comment