Brussels: Over two hundred Tibetans and their friends from across Belgium gathered in Brussels to commemorate the 67th Tibetan National Uprising of March 10, 1959, an event that marked a turning point in Tibet’s modern history and led to the exile of thousands, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The solemn observance brought together members of the Tibetan community and supporters to remember and honour those who sacrificed their lives resisting Chinese occupation of Tibet and to reaffirm their commitment to the Tibetan cause. This year’s commemoration carries a particular significance as Tibetans in exile continue to observe the “Year of Compassion” in honour of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday.
The participants gathered at the entrance of the Parc du Cinquantenaire, located in the European Quarter that often serves as a gathering place for public events and commemorations. Despite a brief spell of rain at the start of the event, participants came out in strong numbers, carrying Tibetan flags, banners, and portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The program began with singing of the Tibetan National anthem followed by observing a minute of silence to honour the courage and sacrifice of Tibetans for the Tibetan cause. After that, the Kashag statement was read out by Tibetan Liaison officer Dhondup Gyalpo of the Office of Tibet Brussels.
In her address, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Rigzin Genkhang paid tribute to Tibetans who sacrificed their lives during the uprising and in the decades that followed, and expressed heartfelt gratitude to those inside Tibet who continue to resist one of the most ruthless dictatorships in the world. Furthermore, Representative Genkhang emphasized the need for a strong, unified stance against the deteriorating situation in Tibet, calling for continued international support, particularly from the European Union.
This was followed by brief speeches by Han Vandenabeel, President of Lungta and Ms Mélanie Blondel, Policy and Advocacy Officer, on behalf of the International Campaign for Tibet and Carlo Luyckx, President, Belgium Buddhist Union, who lauded the Tibetan people’s resilience in the face of such oppression and expressed their unwavering support in their peaceful freedom struggle.
Following that, Tenzin Namdol, an active V-TAG member read the messages of support from MEP Heide Hannes, Co-Chair of Inter Parliamentary Group for Tibet in the European Parliament and Ms Els Van Hoof, MP, Chair, Foreign Affairs Committee, Belgian Federal Parliament, who couldn’t join us in person due to the plenary session in Strasbourg and a mission abroad.
Next came, singing of the Sum-Chui-Drenlu, 10th March commemoration song which marked the end of the formal ceremony. The participants then started shouted slogans before marching to the Chinese Embassy. The march was led by members of the Sangha, who walked at the front of the procession in a symbolic gesture of peace and spiritual leadership. The participants began a peaceful procession through the elegant boulevards of eastern Brussels. As the procession moved through these streets, demonstrators chanted slogans calling for freedom in Tibet and respect for human rights, while others carried placards urging the international community to stand in solidarity with the Tibetan people.
The march concluded outside the Chinese Embassy in Brussels, located in the municipality of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, which continue to hoist the Tibetan national flag on March 10 as a gesture of solidarity with the Tibetan people and their struggle for rights and dignity.
The event was jointly organised by the local Tibetan Associations representing the three traditional provinces, RTWA, RTYC, SFT, V-TAG, the International Campaign for Tibet and Lungta.
Similarly, Tibetan communities in other European countries falling under the jurisdiction of the Office of Tibet Brussels also observed the 67th Tibetan National Uprising Day.
