Tibetan People's Solidarity Campaign launched in Dharamsala
January 31, 2013: In India, the Dharamsala-based Tibetan parliament-in-exile and
its governing council (Kashag) on Wednesday launched the Tibetan People's Solidarity
Campaign. For four days, supporters of the Tibetan cause will be able to take part
in events and meetings designed to raise awareness and draw attention of the international
community to China's repressive policies in Tibet. “Our country is a test for
the international community," Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay told
AsiaNews. "Foreign nations must act now and condemn what is happening in this land.
Revolutions in countries like Syria have greater support, despite their violent nature." Since
2009, at least 100 Tibetans have set themselves on fire to protest against Chinese
rule and to demand the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet. As this form of protest
spread, Beijing has tightened its controls on the civilian population. "We continue
to appeal to (protesters) not to resort to such drastic means," yet self-immolations
continue, reflecting "the desperation and determination of Tibetan people". The
prime minister hopes the campaign will elicit greater support from India. "I think
Indian representatives often do," but "they ought to speak out as frankly as possible
on the issue of Tibet," he added. More recently, China has turned its attention towards
India, hoping to bring New Delhi over to its side. India hosts the Dalai Lama and
the Tibetan government-in-exile. China's state-owned Xinhua News Agency has reported
that a Chinese court failed to reach a verdict on a case that would have helped Chinese
authorities establish an 'Indian connection' in 80 or more self-immolations committed
by Tibetan monks and civilians. Had a link been established, China could have put
pressure on India to hunt the alleged instigators of suicides based in India.