Dharamshala: - Today marks the 54th year of the Tibetan National Uprising, a day when thousands of our brothers and sisters stood defiantly against the Chinese occupation and many sacrificed their lives. The five exile Tibetan NGOs said it is also a day of hope and pride in their relentless struggle to restore freedom for Tibet nation.
"We stand in solidarity and extend our deepest respect to all the Tibetan martyrs who have sacrificed for the cause, and convey our heartfelt prayers to their families," said in a joint statement issued by the five Tibetan NGOs- Tibetan youth Congress, Tibetan Women's Association, Gu Chu Sum movement of Tibet, National Democratic Party of Tibet and Students for a Free Tibet, India .
"The so-called Seventeen Point Agreement, which was signed under duress in 1951, stated that all the internal governance of the Tibetan Autonomous Region is under the authority of the regional Tibetan government. Nonetheless, China clearly defied the terms of this agreement. Within eight years, from 1951 to 1959, Chinese forces proved that this agreement was nothing but an instrument to fulfill their larger agenda of genocide. This fallacy made Tibetans realize that only Tibetans can govern their land and thus has further driven Tibetans to actively sustain their identity. The struggle for Tibet's freedom is a choice made by the Tibetan people.
Over one hundred Tibetans have self-immolated. Thousands of monks, nuns, and laymen and women from all walks of life have carried out peaceful demonstrations against China's repression. People around the world who respect truth and value universal peace have stood by us to support our cause. Today our struggle has a global recognition.
The self-immolations of more than one hundred Tibetans over the past few years have further defined our struggle whereby we can witness how our freedom struggle has now reached a new era. This year we commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Tibetan Independence issued by His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama. In 1913 His Holiness made this declaration to prevent the Manchu forces from invading Tibet, and to make clear that there exist only a religious tie between Tibet and China.
This year also marks the transition in Chinese leadership. Thus considering the aforementioned factors we should seize every opportunity to advance our movement and thereby ensure Tibet's swift freedom. It is clear our struggle is now reaching a turning point.
In commemoration of the 54th Anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day, we, the five non-governmental organizations resolve to:
1. To date, more than one hundred Tibetans both inside and outside Tibet have self-immolated to protest against the inhuman policies of the Chinese Government. If the international committees of the world fail to recognize the nonviolent struggle of the Tibetan people, it will be a great loss to the spirit of all non-violent struggles and will be an indication to the world that the colonization and suppression of one nation by another is permissible and can be carried out without consequences.
2. If China's newly-elected leaders fail to implement policies that favor freedom and human rights and continue to rule with oppressive force, China will continue to be viewed as a world criminal.
3. We ask citizens of China to look at the history of China's occupation of Tibet, and realize the illegality of this occupation. Moreover, we wish to make clear that despite over sixty years of China's rule in Tibet, Tibetans have endlessly expressed their desire to be free from the occupation.
4. March 10 Tibetan National Uprising Day is a day remembered by every Tibetans. Each and every day Tibetans risk their lives for our freedom struggle. With China's repression in Tibet further intensifying Tibetans inside Tibet and everywhere have started learning and adopting various modes of non-violent resistance. It our commitment and Tibetans everywhere that we will never yield to China's oppression and Occupation.
Joint appeal of five NGOs"
1. China must stop the arbitrary arrests of innocent people and the family members of self-immolators who are accused of unfounded charges. China must release all the political prisoners currently suffering inhuman torture.
2. The Chinese government must stop its repressive crackdown on the Tibetan people in the three Provinces. China should open the doors of Tibet to all international delegates and allow free media to carry out observations and research on the situation of Tibetans in Tibet.
3. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the government of India for their undying support. We kindly request that the Government of India issue a strong statement in light of the current human rights violation and crisis in Tibet. With the growing China's influence on India, Indian Government should realize that Tibet's freedom is the only true solution.
