Over 2500 protesters commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Tibetan National uprising in Berne, the capital of Switzerland and seat of the Swiss Government. The protesters gathered at the square in front of the Swiss Parliament calling upon the Swiss Government to support a Europe‐wide petition.
The rally was organised by the Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, the Women’s Organisation in Switzerland, the Tibetan Youth Association in Europe and the Swiss‐Tibetan Friendship Association. The Tibetans and supporters marched to the Chinese Embassy with monks of the Rikon Monastery and the local folkloric dance group. Slogans such as “Long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama” and “China ‐Stop the killing in Tibet” were shouted along the route.
The protesters chanted slogans near the bolted Chinese embassy. 50 coffins were carried by young Tibetans to symbolically reflect 50 years of Chinese suppression and to commemorate the victims of the Chinese occupation of Tibet.
Karma Pangring, President of the Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa, Representative of the Dalai Lama for Central and Eastern Europe as well as Kelsang Gyaltsen, Envoy of His Holiness to the EU and members of the Swiss Parliament addressed the audience.
At 4pm Europe‐wide petition was launched with an alarm bell. The first signers were several members of the Swiss Parliament from different political parties.
The petition demanded respect for human rights in Tibet and unfettered access to Tibet, among others.
