Tibetan Families in Switzerland Fight for Rights and Freedom in Tibet

Geneva, Switzerland – August 16: A group of exiled Tibetan families in Switzerland has been advocating for the rights and freedoms of Tibetans living under Chinese rule. Their campaign, which started on Human Rights Day, December 10, 2012, includes monthly protests in front of the United Nations Office in Geneva.

The Tibet Solidarity Movement honors the memory of the 1.2 million Tibetans who lost their lives under Chinese domination and highlights the ongoing suffering of those still living in Tibet. These activists pay tribute to those who have committed self-immolation in protest against political repression, cultural assimilation, social discrimination, and environmental degradation by the Chinese government.

According to the Tibet Solidarity Movement, nearly a million Tibetan children, aged four to eighteen, are forcibly enrolled in colonial boarding schools, isolating them from their families, language, and cultural heritage. Tibetan language schools are being shut down, further eroding the national identity of the Tibetan people.

The group has issued urgent appeals for international action to save Tibet. They call for the implementation of United Nations resolutions on Tibet from 1959, 1961, and 1965, to restore freedom and peace in the region. They also urge international bodies to support the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet.

Activists demand an end to environmental destruction in Tibet, including deforestation, overgrazing, uncontrolled mining, and nuclear waste dumping. They emphasize the need to protect Tibet’s fragile ecosystem, known as the ‘Third Pole’ and ‘Water Tower of Asia.’

Their demands include the release of political prisoners, investigation into the suppression of religious and cultural freedoms, closure of colonial boarding schools, and the establishment of a UN fact-finding mission. They also urge the Chinese government to engage in negotiations with representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to resolve the Tibet issue peacefully and respect the rights of all its citizens, including Tibetans, Southern Mongolians, and Uighurs.

The exiled Tibetan community in Switzerland remains committed to this cause, urging the international community to act decisively to protect the children of Tibet and preserve the unique identity and culture of the Tibetan people. ‘Save Tibet before it’s too late,’ their message resonates as they continue their peaceful but determined campaign for justice and freedom.