Tibetan-Canadians mark anniversary of uprising against Chinese occupation

 10 March, 2014

Several hundred Canadians of Tibetan origin, and supporters marked the 55th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising against Chinese occupation of Tibet. It was in 1959 that the Dalai Lama also had to flee into exile

The large group waving colourful flags marched across downtown streets in Toronoto, Ontario,  Canada’s largest city today to end up in front of the Chinese Consulate.

Today also  marks the six year anniversary since widespread protests against Chinese rule swept Tibet in 2008.

“Despite 55 years of China’s brutal occupation and systematic attempts to wipe out Tibetan resistance, the Tibetan people’s hope for freedom is stronger than ever before” said Urgyen Badheytsang, spokesperson for the coalition. ”

Another organizer Tsering Tsomo said, “The Canadian government and Canadians must not consider trade over human rights”

Citing repressive policies and a crackdown,  speakers at the rally in front of the Chinese Consulate called for immediate resolution to the situation in Tibet where some 127 Tibetans have given up their lives through self-immolation in recent years.

Meanwhile in Nepal, several small protests on the anniversary were quickly broken up by police in riot gear.   Five people waving Tibet flags and chanting “Free Tibet” in front of the Chinese visa office in Katmandu were hastily loaded  into a police truck and taken away. Four others were detained in another part of Nepal as well.

Thousands of Tibetans refugees live in Nepal, and many travel through Nepal on the way to Dharmasala, India, where the Dalai Lama lives and the self-declared exile government is based.

Nepal does not allow protests near the Chinese Embassy and key areas, saying it cannot allow activities against friendly nations.