The Tibet Post, 21 September 2016

Tibet Post — Over 1500 Tibetans gathered for the ‘Tibet Solidarity Rally for Freedom of Religion and Human Rights’ in Geneva, Switzerland on September 16th, 2016. Local Tibetans and supporters from Tibetan advocacy groups gathered in front of the UN Building in Geneva, which coincided with the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council currently in session in order to highlight the worsening situation of human rights in Tibetan and East Turkestan under the Peoples Republic of China.

Speakers include the niece of a prominent Tibetan Lama, Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, who died in prison last year; Uyghur leader in exile Rebiya Kadeer; European Parliamentarians, and Tibetan monk Golog Jigme, who escaped into exile after suffering torture in prison.

Kai Mueller, Head of UN Advocacy for the International Campaign for Tibet, said: “Since 2008, the Chinese authorities have instilled an oppressive and totalitarian environment in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and nunneries – an approach in which the state recognizes no limits to its authority, and strives to regulate every aspect of religious life. In recent weeks, three young Tibetan nuns have committed suicide in despair at demolition of their homes at the globally renowned institute of Larung Gar in eastern Tibet. Tibetans and their supporters in Geneva are gathering for this rally to highlight this injustice, express solidarity with Tibetans, and to call for religious freedom.”

Around 1500 Tibetans including Uyghur from Switzerland and Tibetans from France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, UK, Netherlands participated in the rally.

http://www.thetibetpost.com/en/news/exile/5188-1500-gather-for-tibet-solidarity-rally-in-geneva