TWA Statement to mark the 42nd Anniversary of Tibetan Women's National Uprising,
March 12, 2001: When Tibet was at a critical situation that whether or not it would survive after the historic and religious state of Tibet was invaded illegally by the communist Chinese in 1959, tens of thousands of Tibetan women from all the three provinces led by 16 brave heroines including Kunsang la and Dolkar Tavutsang with unwavering courage and devotion unanimously staged a freedom movement on the ground called Dri-bu-Yul-Khai in front of the great Potala Palace on 12th March 1959. Today, as we commemorate the 42nd anniversary of the peaceful uprising organized by the Tibetan women for independence. Let us remember and pay our homage to those heroines who sacrificed their lives for the Tibetan national cause.
As it is the responsibility of all the Tibetan women in and outside of Tibet to fulfill the residual good objectives of the late martyrs, the revival of the Association of Tibetan women from all the three provinces in 1984 has become significantly meaningful towards the struggle for the ultimate cause of Tibet and history of women.
The situation of fundamental human rights in Tibet
has deteriorated from bad to worse since 1959. Besides the Tibetans
have no freedom of cultural preservation, practice of religion,
speech, movement
and education etc,. A large number of monks and nuns were expelled
from the monasteries and nunneries by making restrictions on the
number of monks and nuns and their age limit for admission to monasteries
and nunneries, imposition of coercive orders for prohibition from
keeping of Dalai Lama's photos and to denounce the Dalai Lama,
following the "Strike Hard Campaign" launched through
out Tibet since 1996.
Although Tibet is a country which is sparsely populated and has vast area of land, there is imposition of birth control on Tibetan women and official limit of "One family, One child". Those who fail to comply with the policies are fined a sum of Yuan from 1000 to 3000 per child as penalty for breach of law. In addition to this, such children are denied of their future career rights including ration card. A large number of women become seriously ill and die due to the poor medical facility at the time of forced sterilization and abortion etc. The concerned patients are required to pay all expenses on account of medical treatment including operations etc. In short, the Tibetan women in Tibet continue to leave under strict authority of the other and are not allowed to give birth to children as per their wish, these days. Similarly, many of the Tibetans have died in prison, and hundreds of them have become physically disabled due to the inhumane torture after they have been arrested and imprisoned for having voiced peacefully for their rights and worshipped the Dalai Lama which is considered as an act of criminal.
However, the brotherance in Tibet having remained true Tibetan as steady as mountain, continue to have unchangeable confidence in His Holiness the Dalai Lama and with unwavering courage challenge in totality the Chinese cruelty. As the Tibetan identity is kept alive because of the above reasons, we, on behalf of all the Tibetans in exile, would like to express our sincere appreciation and thanks to them.
A huge amount of deforestation and extraction of precious metals have been done by the Chinese. A great harm is being done to the environment of Tibet by making it as a place for dumping nuclear wastes from other countries too. Similarly, the Tibetan children are not given education and employment opportunities at par with their counterpart Chinese children and are compelled to learn Chinese language for the job entrance exams.
The bars, gambling and night clubs and brothels in every corner of Lhasa and other big cities in Tibet, has been instated for the youngsters. Their main aim is to degenerate younger generation of Tibetan people to completely diminish Tibetan identity. With great fear and much concern, TWA request the Government of China to stop such immoral strategy. TWA also appeals to our youngsters to be a good citizen as they are the future seed of Tibet and they should not be influened by the Chinese misguidance.
In 1995 the young recarnate XI Panchen Lama, Tenzin Gedun Choekyi Nyima, who was six years old, was kidnapped and detained by the Chinese authorities without any political adverse or crime. His whereabouts is not known as of today. TWA strongly appeals to United Nations Human Rights and Childs Right Commission to pressure Chinese Government for his immediate release and TWA will continue struggle until he is released.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama's tireless efforts to create awareness of Tibet issue in the International communities has risen to enormous Tibet support groups day by day. There are three hundred Tibet support groups in thirty different countries. More than fifty resolutions passed on Tibet issue by International Parliaments since 1986, simultaneously in India, there are India-Tibet support groups in almost every Tibetan settlement and residents. The members of Tibetan Women's Association would like to extend our hearty gratitude for their geniune support for Tibet cause, without earning any benefit for themselves.
Tibet was historically an independent country for thousand years and now a large number of Chinese population migrants in every part of Tibet, has completely changed the image of Tibetans and it is more of China town than Tibetan. By seeing at this critical conditions of loosing Tibetan culture and identity, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has proposed an alternative solution of peaceful negotiation which will of course benefit both the nations. We, the TWA especially appeals to Government of India and International communities, to impose effective pressure on Chinese Leaders to initiate peaceful negotiation to solve the Tibet issue without any pre-conditions.
This year's 50th anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's State responsibililty, TWA promise to follow the guidance shown by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and share the responsibilitie, to help and support within Tibetan community, and also to bring up children in a better way. At the end TWA prays for His Holiness Long Live and immediate re-union of Tibetan people in and out side Tibet.
Issued by Tibetan Women's Association, Central Executive Committee, Dharamsala, H.P. India.