A függetlenség visszaszerzése: AZ STF kiadta a 13. Dalai Láma függetlenségi nyilatkozatának eredeti változatát

2012. május 24. /PhayulTibetPress

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DHARAMSHALA, May 24: A re-creation of the ‘Tibetan Proclamation of Independence’ issued by His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama in 1913 was publicly released yesterday evening at a ceremony held in the Tibetan exile headquarters of Dharamshala.

The scroll was unveiled by Ven. Palden Gyatso, Tibet's second longest-serving political prisoner who was born in the time of the 13th Dalai Lama's government.

Organisers of the event, Students for a Free Tibet, said the scroll will be distributed in 100 cities – delivered to Chinese Embassies, presented to world leaders, plastered on global landmarks – to raise awareness about the upcoming hundredth anniversary of Tibet’s declaration as an independent country on February 13, 2013.

Speaking at the event, Tenzin Dorjee, Executive Director of SFT expressed hope that the distribution of the declaration will give Tibetans “a reason to celebrate our history as an independent nation.”

“Nearly a hundred years after the issue of this proclamation, Tibetans today are taking practical actions to construct their social, political and economic independence from Chinese rule through tactics of noncooperation and civil disobedience. Although China may control Tibet’s borders, it can no longer control the Tibetan people's actions,” Dorjee said.

Lhadon Tethong, director of the Tibet Action Institute remarked that Tibetans’ commitment to independence is “as strong as it was hundred and thousands years ago.”

“In fact, Tibetans’ commitment for independence is growing stronger and stronger while China is becoming weaker and weaker,” Lhadon said. “That commitment could be seen in the hearts of every Tibetan no matter where they were born or what language they may speak.”

Addressing the gathering, Tenzin Tsundue, the president of Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Dharamshala urged world leaders to forge relationships with Chinese democracy activists and Tibetans instead of building business networks with the Chinese communist government.

“Because of your money invested in the communist government, Tibetans are suffering under Chinese torture and because of your business with the Chinese government, you are unable to help Tibet,” Tsundue said.

Thubten Gyatso, the 13th Dalai Lama, was forced to take refuge in British India from 1910 – 1912 following the Manchu invasion of Tibet.

When the Manchu (Qing) Dynasty collapsed in 1911, Tibetans expelled the remnant Manchu forces from Tibet, paving way for the Dalai Lama to return and exercise a political authority not seen since the reign of the great Fifth Dalai Lama.

The overthrow of the Manchu forces and return of the Dalai Lama to Lhasa proved historically significant for Tibetans as it marked the full restoration of Tibet’s independence.

The 13th Dalai Lama declared Tibet’s independence on February 13, 1913 (8th day, first month, water ox Tibetan year) by making the ‘Tibetan Proclamation of Independence,’ a five-point public statement reasserting Tibetan Independence.

For more than three decades following the proclamation, Tibet had enjoyed complete independence free from any foreign control until China took over Tibet in 1959.

Acknowledging SFT’s initiative, Serthar Tsultrim, a member of the Tibetan parliament urged young Tibetan independence activists to stand in the parliamentary elections in order to advocate and lobby for a policy shift in the exile government.

“Parliament is the legislature and policy maker and representatives of the people, so I urge you all young free Tibet activists to fight for the election to be in the parliament, so that you can advocate for Tibet’s independence,” Tsultrim said.