Taipei Hosts 66th Anniversary Tibetan Uprising Parade, Spotlighting Human Rights Violations

The 66th Anniversary Tibetan Uprising Parade in Taipei highlighted ongoing human rights violations in Tibet. Various groups and officials called for global recognition of these issues, emphasizing the historical impact of Chinese policies on Tibet. The parade featured speeches, chants, and a moment of silence for those who sacrificed their lives.

In Taipei, Taiwan's capital, the 66th Anniversary Tibetan Uprising Parade attracted over 100 participants, including Tibetan advocacy groups, non-governmental organizations, political entities, and the National Human Rights Commission. The march, adorned with the Snow Lion Flag, embarked from Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT Station, passing significant sites such as the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and the Bank of China, ultimately concluding at the Xinyi Smoke-Free Demonstration Plaza.

Demonstrators chanted rallying cries like 'Free Tibet' and 'Tibet belongs to the Tibetans.' Various NGO members and Tibetan speakers addressed the crowd, urging awareness of China's human rights abuses in Tibet. Gesang Gyaltsen, Chairman of the Dalai Lama's Tibetan Religious Foundation, argued against the 1951 peace agreement imposed by China's Communist Party, which allegedly resulted in over 1.2 million Tibetan deaths, the destruction of more than 6,000 temples, and the exile of Tibetan leadership. He highlighted the ongoing genocide, cultural destruction, and religious persecution in the region.

This year's parade notably featured participation from the National Human Rights Commission for the first time. Deputy Commissioner Wang Youling's speech underscored that Tibet's struggles are fundamentally human rights issues, asserting that universal human rights oblige Taiwan to recognize Tibet's plight. Referring to the notorious adage, Wang stated, 'Today's Tibet may be tomorrow's Taiwan.' At the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, around 3 pm, participants observed a moment of silence and engaged in a Tibetan prostration ceremony, honoring those who died for Tibet. Tashi Tsering, Secretary-General of the Tibetan Taiwan Human Rights Alliance, explained the prostration as a Buddhist ritual signifying bravery and fortitude.

The parade disbanded at the Xinyi Smoke-Free Demonstration Plaza, and plans for the '66th Anniversary Candlelight Vigil for the Tibetan Uprising' are underway at Freedom Square on the evening of March 10. The Tibet Taiwan Human Rights Network cited China's 1951 invasion and the resultant erosion of Tibetan culture and religious practices. On March 10, 1959, a large-scale rebellion in Lhasa was violently suppressed by the Chinese military, causing considerable casualties and prompting the Dalai Lama's escape to India, where he instituted a government-in-exile. This historical event established the 'Tibet Uprising Day.' (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)