Toronto, December 10, 2012 – Hunderds of Tibetans march with 82 coffins on the streets of downtown Toronto starting from the City Hall to Consulate General of People Republic of China to observe the Global Solidarity Day for Tibet and World Human Rights Day. The situation of Tibet is very serious and 96 brave Tibetans have self-immolated calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and free Tibet.
The reasons for the self-immolations are self evident; political repression, economic marginalization, environmental destruction, and cultural assimilation. This is a clear reflection of the failed policies of Beijing and the total rejection of the repressive rule of the Chinese government by the Tibetans inside Tibet.
Clearly, these series of self-immolations special in the recent months are caused by the hardline policies of Beijing, human rights abuse, torture, lack of religious freedom, strict restrictions on the Tibetans, no language rights, etc,…It is time to change your hardline policies, stop baseless allegations against the Dalai Lama, and return to the negotiation table to discuss ways and means to resolve this crisis and save the precious lives.