Demonstration in front of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland

Demonstration in front of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland

Geneva: Tibetan community of Switzerland &Liechtenstein organized a demonstration in front of United Nations Human Rights Council office in Geneva on Friday 18^thSeptember 2020 paralleling the ongoing 45^thsession of the UN Human Rights Council to draw attention of the United Nation and member states to the worsening situation of human rights in Tibet.

Following strict physical distancing and safety –related –norms due to Wuhan , China originated COVID-19 pandemic, members of the community assembled at the Place des Nation in protest against China`s continued violation of human rights in Tibet.

Including five Tibetan Peace marchers Mr. Tenam Phuntsok, Mr. Pempa Tsering, Mr.Tashi Namgyal, Mr.Gelek Namgyal and Mr. Lobsang Tsangmada, around 150 Tibetans joined the demonstration.

The Demonstration begins at about 11am with the Tibetan National Anthem followed by a minute of silence for the Martyrs of Tibet.

Mr. Tsamda Norbu.President of Tibetan Community in Switzerland &Liechtenstein addressed the Event by thanking the entire participant for attending the demonstration with full determination and enthusiasm despite COVID -19 pandemic.

Later he spoke in English and briefed on an overview of the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet and expressed deep concern on the suffering of Tibetans under the cruelty and oppressive rules of China. Evidently, the on-going COVID-19 Pandemic has put the world in trouble solely because of PRC’s inhuman principles. The whole world is under lockdown currently due to the pandemic, yet Tibet has been under lockdown since its illegal occupation by the Communist China.

Ms. Karma Choekyi Section Leader (Thuemi) read the appeal letter to the Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,highlighting the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet.

Mr. Tenzin Wangdu,Section Leader ( Thuemi )read the Press Release Statement.

Mr. Chimey Rigzen, representative of Tibet Office Geneva appreciated the Tibetan Community of Zürich for organizing Peace March and thanked all the participants. The world is currently undergoing tremendous sufferings due to COVID-19 pandemic, Tibetans inside Tibet are facing double-fold lockdown situation. He called for continued advocacy efforts from United Nations for Human Right.

He also highlighted that the China originated COVID-19 has not only wreaked havoc in the whole world over but it also has made the situation much worse for Tibetans inside Tibet. China is continuing to suppress the Tibetans and its policies are aimed at Sinicization of Tibetan youth depriving them of learning the Tibetan language and practicing the Tibetan Buddhists which are important markers of Tibetan culture.

Mr. Samdho Jampa, member of Tibetan parliament in Exile addressed the gathering by mentioning the recent demise of Mr. Nyima Tenzin,tibetan soldier in Indian army. He was killed by Chinese army while on patrol duty in border regions in Ladakh, India. His death made Media known about the Existence of the battalion of the Special Frontier Force (SFF), also known as Establishment 22, which is a unit made up of Tibetans under the Indian army. Within the Indian army the Tibetan unit is known as the “Vikasbattalion.”

Other speakers on the occasion were,Ms .Norzom Jordenkhangsar ( Vice President of Swiss Tibetan Woman Association)  Dr. Uwe Meya, Media Officer  of Swiss-Tibetan Friendship Association ( GSTF)

Mr, Tenam Phuntsok member of Peace March also addressed the gathering and thanked all the Section leaders and Tibetans for their Support during the Peace march from 8th - 18th September.

Mr. Tsamdha Norbu including other Dignitaries commended the peace marcher and honored them with traditional Tibetan Scarf (Khatak). The earlier peace marchers who had carried out similar marches and cycle rallies were also mentioned and honored.

The president of the Tibetan Community of Switzerland& Liechtenstein, Mr,.Tsamdha Norbu accompanied by Mr . Tsering Norbu Wakar, Section Leader(Thuemi) of Section Zürich as well as the five peace marchers’ submitted petitions to Mr. Sèbastien Gillioz, member of Human Rights, addressed to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Tibetans carrying national flags, shouting Slogans calling for `Human Rights in Tibet and Release of all Political Prisoners in Tibet among other slogans highlighted the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet. They called upon the UN member states and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to hold accountable for human rights violations in Tibet.

The event concluded successfully with the recitation of Dhentsik Monlamand Gyalwai Shaptenwith full devotion.        

 

Nyima Arya