On March 9, members of Taiwan’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) participated in a significant annual march in Taipei, commemorating the 1959 Tibetan uprising. This marked the first time the commission, established in 2020, has actively joined the event, advocating for a free Tibet independent of Chinese control. Vice Chairperson Wang Yu-ling expressed the NHRC’s commitment to highlighting human rights issues, articulating that the Tibetan struggle reflects broader human rights challenges, stating, “Today’s Tibet could be the future of Taiwan.”
Wang underscored the NHRC’s mission, rooted in the Paris Principles for human rights institutions. She referred to the suffering of Tibetans since the signing of the 1951 Seventeen-Point Agreement, which was supposed to protect Tibetan culture and rights but resulted in severe oppression, claiming, “What the Chinese government has done in Tibet could be considered an act of ‘ethnic cleansing and genocide.'”
Kelsang Gyaltsen Bawa, a representative of the Tibetan government-in-exile, echoed this, reiterating the necessity of remembrance regarding the Tibetan plight and how it relates to potential threats facing Taiwan. He noted the outcome of the 1959 uprising, where around 10,000 Tibetans protested against repressive measures, leading to a tragic crackdown that forced the Dalai Lama into exile.
The march began at Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT Station with approximately 100 participants chanting demands for freedom. It concluded at Xinyi Smoke-Free Plaza, reinforcing the message that the struggles of Tibetans should not be forgotten, as history can repeat itself if vigilance is not exercised.
Members of Taiwan’s NHRC attended a march for the 1959 Tibetan uprising, marking a first for the commission. Vice Chairperson Wang Yu-ling linked human rights issues in Tibet to Taiwan’s future, calling for solidarity. Kelsang Gyaltsen Bawa reiterated the threat of forgetting the Tibetan struggle, as participants marched in remembrance of the past and towards a call for freedom.
The participation of Taiwan’s NHRC in the Tibet uprising march highlights a growing solidarity for human rights. As expressed by Wang Yu-ling, the parallels between Tibet and Taiwan raise concerns about future freedoms. The awareness and advocacy demonstrated during the event serve as crucial reminders of the oppressive realities faced in Tibet and the importance of protecting human rights globally.
Original Source: focustaiwan.tw
