On the 53rd anniversary of Tibetan Women’s Uprising day

On the 53rd anniversary of Tibetan Women’s Uprising day, the Tibetan Women’s Association chapter of Switzerland organized a rally in the northern Swiss city of Zurich. Around 300 Tibetans and supporters took part part in the protest rally to highlight the dire situation in Tibet. Calling on China to end the repressive policy in Tibet, the candle vigil rally was organized specially in the memory and honor of the self immolating martyrs in Tibet. 26 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire since 2009 demanding chiefly freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness The Dalai Lama in Tibet. Tsering kyi from melam machu and Rinchen from Ngaba in Tibet were specially remembered and honored. Khen Rinpoche from the Rikon monastery, the former Vice President of the Tibetan Community of Switzerland and Leichtenstein, Mr. Shitse tsang Lobsang and Miss Tibet 2012 were there to lend their support.  The President of the TWA Swiss recounted in detail the situation in Tibet and especially on the most recent two cases of women self immolation, Tsering Kyi and Rinchen from Machu and Ngaba Dzong respectively.  Condemning the Chinese authorities on their shameful abuse of Human and religious right violation in Tibet, In their official statement, the TWA expressed grave concern about the current dire situation in Tibet. Authorities and journalists term the current situation as an undeclared martial law in Tibet.   Around 850 prisoners political prisoners are currently thought to be languishing in prisons according to official counts. A total of 18 Tibetans have immolated themselves since January 2012 of which 13 have been confirmed dead. The Chinese security have opened fire on demonstrators resulting in at least 5 deeds until now. The statement also reads that it fears the movement will spread out in other parts of Tibet soon if the Chinese Authorities fail to recognize the genuine grievances of the Tibetan people in Tibet. “We call upon the International Community to hear the demands of self immolating martyrs,“ the statement appealed. The two common demands in all of the 26 self immolators have been freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet.  The statement also condemned Hu Jintao as an oppressor of the Tibetan people and for the violent disregard of Human, religious and political rights in Tibet.                                      
In their statement, TWA appealed to Hu Jintao and the Regional Party chief in Tibet to hear the genuine grievances of the Tibetan people and respond to the grievances with dialogue and peaceful means.                                         The statement also highlights the environmental importance of the Tibetan Plateau for the continent of Asia. Many major rivers in Asia have their sources in the mountains of Tibet upon which depend the livelihood of millions of people in China, Burma, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Expressing concerns about the handling of the environmental issues by the Chinese authorities in Tibet, TWA had stated a project since 2011 called The Third Pole.                                       
Led by Khen Rinpoche from the Rikon monastery the rally ended with the crowd singing the National Anthem followed by reciting Dentsik Monlam led by Khen Rinpoche from the monastery of Rikon.Photos...