Tibetans protest in Dharamshala

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Tibetan protesters in Dharamshala honour Lobga Rangzen and urge the international community to raise concerns over China’s policies in Tibet.

Dharamshala, August 20

A large number of members of the Tibetan community held a protest in Dharamshala on Thursday in support of Tibet’s freedom and the rights of Tibetans, with demonstrators also paying tribute to Lobga Rangzen, who died after self-immolating outside the United Nations headquarters on July 2.

The march began at the Dalai Lama Temple in McLeodganj and proceeded to the Police Ground, where participants observed Rangzen’s 49th day. The 49th day holds special significance in Tibetan tradition.

During the demonstration, protesters raised slogans against China’s policies and called upon the international community to intervene on the Tibet issue.

Pema Tshering, Prime Minister (Sikyong) of the Central Tibetan Administration, said Rangzen had sacrificed his life for Tibet’s freedom and the rights of Tibetans.

He said China’s policies were having a serious impact on Tibet’s language, culture, history and religious identity. He alleged that Tibetan children were being sent to boarding schools from a young age, distancing them from their language and culture.

Tshering also alleged that China was formalising its policies concerning Tibetans, Uyghurs and Mongols through legislation. He urged countries around the world to question these policies and raise the concerns of Tibetans at the international level.

He said democratic countries, including India, should seriously consider the issue and support efforts to highlight the concerns of Tibetans.

The protest brought together members of the Tibetan community in Dharamshala, a major centre of the Tibetan government-in-exile and community.