Today, we
commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Tibetan People’s National
Uprising Day. This day also marks the completion of 50 years, since His
Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Gadhen Phodang Government and scores of
Tibetans were compelled to come into exile. At the outset, I pay my
obeisance and reverence to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the supreme
leader of world peace for His august presence. I also pay my respect to
and seek the attention of the eminent Lamas of all traditions led by
the Sakya Dhaktri Rinpoche, the venerated Sangha, former and serving
dignitaries of the three organs of the Tibetan Government in Exile and
the autonomous bodies, former and serving government officials, leaders
of the non-governmental organizations, teachers, students, all the
general public who have gathered here and especially our Chinese guests
and Italian guests, who have traveled a long way to be with us here
today and of course the Press. We pay tribute to the
courageous patriots of Tibet who have sacrificed their lives and
belongings for the cause of Tibet in the last 50 years. We also express
our appreciation and solidarity with all those brave ones who continue
to suffer sleepless nights and immense difficulties under brutal
suppression and imprisonment on one pretext or the other. May all those
who lost their lives be led to the path of enlightenment under the
guidance and care of almighty Avaloketeshwara. The People’s
Republic of China has in the past 50 years carried out extremely harsh
and rigid policies on Tibet in total contradiction to the aspiration of
the Tibetan People. The so called white paper entitled ‘Fifty Years of
Democratic Reform in Tibet’, published on 2nd of March this year is far
from the truth and is yet another attempt to mislead the international
community. According to verified information that we have collected,
since 10 March 2008, minimum of 219 Tibetans have been confirmed
killed, 6705 arrested, 1294 injured, 286 given harsh sentences for
varied terms, and many others have been reported missing. Moreover,
this year fearing the possibility of extensive protests in Tibet than
last year, the Chinese government has increased the deployment of armed
troops in all the three provinces of Tibet. Suppressive measures like
‘strike hard on the separatist forces of Dalai clique’, conducting
military maneuvers in the form of intelligence gathering, enforcing
curfew and patriotic reeducation in monasteries are all indication of
enforcing virtual Martial Law. The Tibetans were forced to celebrate
the Tibetan New Year with much more pomp and gaiety than earlier
through various means despite the fact that thousands of Chinese and
Tibetans lost their lives in the 2008 earthquakes and death of hundreds
of Tibetans due to the crackdown. As usual there was no show of concern
over the loss of human life. In addition, the devious plan by the so
called Regional People’s Congress of the so called Tibet Autonomous
Region passed resolution to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the
emancipation of one million serfs and democratic reform in Tibet with
pomp and fanfare. All these are evidence of the grave situation inside
Tibet that is discernable to the whole world. Instead of
initiating reforms for the benefit of Tibetans and building a
harmonious society based on Hu Jintao’s mantra of scientific approach
to development through harmony, stability and unity of different
nationalities to build the nation, the above mentioned policies
designed to humiliate and oppress the Tibetans will further alienate
the Tibetans and will in no way contribute to a harmonious society.
Moreover, China had neither mentioned nor acknowledged military
crackdown on peaceful Tibetan protesters in 2008 in its Annual country
report on human rights submitted to the United Nations’ Human Rights
Council but also refused to accept the report on Tibet presented by the
human rights Troika on torture. All these prove China’s total disregard
for the world community by flexing her economic and military muscles,
even in the 21st century. Within the past fifty years Tibetans
inside Tibet have carried out numerous peaceful and non-violent
campaigns. Particularly, since 10 March 2008, Tibetan people have shown
their courage and determination by carrying out many peaceful protests
throughout the three provinces of Tibet. Even today Tibetans inside
Tibet are carrying out resistance movements using high level of
non-violent methods. Lest the Tibetans in exile fail in our endeavor,
the grit, determination, courage and sincerity of the Tibetans inside
Tibet are self evident from their recent initiatives. During
the oppressive rule of China in the last 50 years, Tibetans both inside
and outside Tibet have undertaken many non-violent activities some of
which have been very successful and some not. Therefore, it is the time
now to reassess and learn from our past experiences to strategically
plan constructive activities and carry them out with non-violent
discipline and unity. While implementing future programs, we must
remain committed and we must at all times adhere to our basic principle
of non-violence till our issue is resolved. Another important aspect is
to abide by the Tibetan New Year message of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
to ensure that our actions do not breed mistrust and antagonism between
the people of Tibet and China. In addition, based on the resolutions of
the Tibetan Parliament in Exile and the recommendations of the 2008
special meeting, whatever pragmatic political stand that His Holiness
maintains considering the dynamics of the international political
scenario, we should all voluntarily follow it whole-heartedly in unity
that will without any doubt contribute to a speedier resolution of the
Tibetan issue. The steadfast position of the Tibetans in Tibet
and the tireless efforts of His Holiness the Dalai Lama have resulted
in growing international support for the Tibet issue that is based on
truth. The presence of our Chinese friends here today, who have
traveled long distances, is also an indication of the growing support
from the Chinese people. The Tibetan government in exile under
the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama has made earnest and
enduring efforts to resolve the Sino-Tibetan problem that is mutually
beneficial. However, the issue still remains unresolved due to the lack
of concrete and constructive response from the Chinese leadership. The
whole responsibility for the deadlock rests with the Chinese
leadership. If China is sincere about resolving the Tibetan issue, they
must take it up in the ongoing meetings of the Chinese People’s
Congress and the Political Consultative Conference to discuss and
decide on ways to fulfill the aspiration of the Tibetan people. Sustaining
the Tibetan communities in exile is directly related to furthering the
cause of Tibet. Towards this end, promoting a healthy system of
education, political awareness, strengthening democratic polity at the
grassroots, sustainable development of the settlements and prevention
of dispersal of the communities are extremely essential. For that
purpose, the Tibetan Parliament in Exile in a departure from the past,
have allocated territorial constituencies for members to visit their
respective constituencies at least twice a year. The members have been
notified to this effect. We take this opportunity to convey
our heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of India and all
our supporters worldwide for their consistent support. And we look
forward to your continued support in future. To conclude, may
His Holiness the Dalai Lama live for eternity for the sake of all
living beings and may all His wishes be fulfilled. We also pray for the
speedy resolution of the Tibetan Issue. Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile10th March 2009