On March 10, Chinese dissident Jianli Yang, a member of the Global Committee for the Rule of Law “Marco Pannella” and of the Nonviolent Radical Party, gave a speech in Dharamsala, India, seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile, during the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising, which occurred in 1959 against the invasion of Communist China which forced His Holiness the Dalai Lama into exile.
Your Holiness the Dalai Lama, Your Honorable Mr. President Lobsang Sangay, dear Brothers and Sisters: Tashi Delek.
What an honor to be with all of you on this special day. Sixty years ago today, the Tibetan people rose up against the occupation of the Chinese Communist regime at a time when their culture, religion, property, indeed, their very existence was being seriously threatened. His Holiness the Dalai Lama was forced into exile, as the uprising was brutally suppressed. The CCP turned Tibet into a “hell on earth”. The sufferings the people of Tibet have endured in the past 60 years at the hands of the CCP are almost unparalleled in the history of mankind.
But the Tibetan people, under the guidance of His Holiness, both in and outside Tibet, have never given up hope. They have never stopped their struggle for beliefs, national identity and freedom. Their courage, tenacity and sacrifices have won them worldwide respect and admiration.
Despite being without land, army or police, the 150,000 Tibetans in exile, under the leadership of His Holiness and the Central Tibetan Administration, have built dozens of settlements around the world. While maintaining their shared memories and beliefs, they have developed the miracle of a highly cohesive spiritual state which includes all Tibetans. Going beyond mere survival, they have reached out to people around the world, presenting an image of tolerance, loving-kindness open-mindedness, and optimism, while embracing universal values and implementing democratic practices, putting to shame those who rely on violence to pursue their goals.
Today, Tibet remains under the occupation of the CCP empire. The dire situation in Tibet is a challenge to the conscience of mankind, especially that of the Chinese people. It is our privilege, as Chinese, to join you in standing united for Tibet.
As we commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising, we reaffirm our gratitude to our Tibetan brothers and sisters for their long-term brotherhood, friendship and spiritual inspiration. We recommit ourselves to respect and defend the Tibetans’ right to determine their own destiny, supporting the middle way approach advocated by His Holiness and passed by the Tibetan People’s Assembly to resolve the Tibetan issue.
Today, we honor our brotherhood, friendship and solidarity with the people of Tibet by redoubling our efforts on their behalf. We will walk every step together with His Holiness on the way home, and we will continue to fight side by side with our Tibetan brothers and sisters for their religious, cultural and political freedom. Free Tibet. Thank you.
Jianli Yang
Read the original speech in the website of Initatives for China