Tokyo, Japan — The Tibetan community in Japan, joined by representatives from 11 other countries, marked the 76th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights with a public gathering and peace march at Shibuya Women’s Plaza Hall, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) reported.
The day began with a peaceful demonstration outside the Chinese Embassy, where protesters demanded freedom for Tibet, East Turkestan, and Southern Mongolia, called for an end to political oppression and cultural erasure, and criticized alleged Chinese government restrictions on religious and cultural practices.
In opening remarks, Tashi Yangzom, Secretary of Tibet House Japan (Office of Tibet), thanked supporters and highlighted ongoing issues in Tibet, including the increasing replacement of the Tibetan language with Mandarin in schools and claims that nearly one million Tibetan children have been separated from families and placed in colonial boarding schools. She referenced 157 self-immolations by Tibetans since 2009 as protests against Chinese Communist Party policies, urged global solidarity with marginalized groups, and reaffirmed Tibet’s commitment to non-violent resistance, according to the CTA.
Tashi Yangzom also expressed gratitude to countries that uphold democracy and human rights, particularly Japan, for providing a platform for suppressed voices.
Delegates from Myanmar, Cambodia, Belarus, Taiwan, East Turkestan, Southern Mongolia, Hong Kong, mainland China, North Korea, and Ukraine shared testimonies of political repression and human rights abuses, calling for international intervention and solidarity among those under authoritarian regimes.
Speakers included Dorjee Sichoe, President of the Tibetan Community Japan, and Tsering Dorjee, President of Students for a Free Tibet; Kameda Taro of Students for a Free Tibet Japan moderated the session.
After speeches, about 200 participants marched through Aoyama, Omotesando, and Shibuya, chanting for freedom and democracy and waving multiple national flags. Thousands of onlookers, including locals and tourists, observed the demonstration, which ended peacefully, reaffirming hopes for justice, freedom, and protection of human rights worldwide, the CTA reported. (ANI)
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