Press Statement: March 12, 2007
Tibetan Women’s Association of Ontario commemorates and honors the 48th Tibetan Women’s National Uprising Day. TWAO and their supporters will hold a protest march against the illegal occupation of Tibet by China in front of the Chinese Consulate in Toronto.
On 12th March 1959, thousands of Tibetan women marched in Lhasa to resist and reject the occupation of Tibet by the People’s Republic of China led by Mao Tsetung. Since then China continues to pursue a policy of systematic destruction of the Tibetan religion, culture and people. This has caused irreversible damage in Tibet. Tibetan people are denied basic fundamental rights and freedoms. More than 2445 Tibetan asylum seekers and refugees flee Tibet each year in search of freedom and the right to pursue religion and education without fear. Political indoctrination of the monks, nuns and government officials continue to this day.
Despite the indifferent attitude of the communist regime of China over the years, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has persistently sought to solve the issue of Tibet through a process of dialogue and non-violence. China however has failed to respond and instead in recent times campaigned to make unfounded derogatory remarks and irresponsible statements against the Dalai Lama that have deeply hurt the feelings of the Tibetan people. TWAO strongly condemns such remarks by China and believes that this could only ignite the Tibetan people’s resolve to fight harder for the freedom of Tibet.
TWAO is concerned about the status of Gendun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama and all other political prisoners who remain incarcerated in different detention centers inside Tibet. It has been documented that there are currently 116 known political prisoners inside Tibet and 26 Tibetans were arrested in 2006 for their alleged political activities. The influx of Chinese migrant workers and the army into Tibet has been made easier through the new Golmud-Lhasa railway. Besides, population control measures like forced sterilization has been a systematic state policy practice in making the Tibetans a minority in their own land.
TWAO strongly opposes China as host of the 2008 Olympics since human rights situation in Tibet and in larger China has deteriorated and criticized by many Human Rights watchdogs.
TWAO calls upon the Chinese leadership to show the international community its sincerity and seize the olive branch extended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in bringing about an amicable solution to the ongoing issue of Tibet. TWAO also urge the international community including the Canadian Government to raise the issue of Tibet with China and continue to support the Tibetan struggle for freedom and justice.
Tibetan Women’s Association of Toronto, Ontario.
