BRUSSELS: On the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the 64th anniversary of the Universal Human Rights day on 10 December, over 600 Tibetans and Tibet supporters in Belgium took part in a peace rally in front of the European commission in Brussels to mark global solidarity day for Tibet.

The rally began with a prayer service in memory of all those Tibetans who have sacrificed their precious lives for the cause of Tibet, and for those who continue to suffer under the repressive Chinese rule. Since 2009, over 95 Tibetans have set themselves on fire calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Thupten Phegyal, the President of Tibetan community in Belgium, urged the Tibetans and the supporters of Tibet to gear up for a concerted campaigns to fulfil the aspirations of Tibetans inside Tibet.

Ms Inge Hermans, the president of Belgium’s Vrienden Van Tibet (Friends of Tibet), expressed her deep anguish at the indifference of the international community and institutions to the tragic situation unfolding inside Tibet.

Mr Ngodup Dorjee, the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, read out the statement of Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay on 23rd anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

After the official function, the local Tibetans and the supporters held a peace rally through the Brussels city to the Chinese embassy.

Similarly, the Tibetan community in Amsterdam and Barcelona respectively organised peace rally and prayer service in collaboration with local Tibet Support Groups. The Tibetans and friends of Tibet in both the cities participated in the rallies in large numbers.