Declaration of the 5th International Rangzen Conference
Dharamshala May 23-25, 2018
Prelude
Tibet reached the pinnacle of its power and prosperity during the reign of its sovereign emperors and despite the ebb and flow of politics and power, Tibet remained an independent country marked by its distinct culture, history and leadership. The Communist China invaded Tibet in 1949 and on May 23, 1951, under duress, Tibet was forced to sign the so-called “17-Point Agreement”.
The government of China began to systematically force its policies of oppression and insatiable greed in Tibet and on March 10, 1959, Tibetans from the three provinces of Tibet rose up in a popular national uprising in the Tibetan capital Lhasa. His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government was forced to escape into exile. Soon after reaching the safety of exile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke to a large contingent of international media on April 18, 1959 in the Indian city of Tezpur. His Holiness declared that the free and independent country of Tibet was invaded and brutally occupied by the Chinese government and officially repudiated the so-called “17 Point Agreement”.
As a direct result of China’s invasion and continued occupation of Tibet more than a million Tibetans have suffered untimely deaths and Tibet’s religious and cultural heritage has suffered severe destruction. Although with its policy of economic liberalization, China has superficially presented a façade of political relaxation, Tibet has been violently denied its fundamental human rights and the freedom to practice its religion and culture. To this day, Tibetans inside Tibet continue to sacrifice their lives rising up in protest against their occupiers and fighting to protect Tibet’s environment and language. The recent case of China sentencing Tashi Wangchuk to five years in jail for championing Tibetan language protection is a case in point. A large number of Tibetans continue to languish in Chinese prisons while many have succumbed to torture.
Since February 27, 2009, 152 Tibetans from all three provinces of Tibet have set themselves on fire in protest against the Chinese government. In exile, 10 Tibetans have self-immolated. These fiery protests are symbolic of the Tibetan people’s aspirations for a free and independent Tibet and for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten and remain as an inspiration for the struggle for Tibet’s rightful independence.
A brief chronological account of the International Rangzen Conference
In 2012 in Dharamshala a Rangzen conference was held following which a number of Tibetan freedom fighters and activists continued to hold concerted dialogues and consultations. In the course of the discussions it was found urgent and vital to organise an international Rangzen conference. A few Rangzen activists based in Dharamshala took the responsibility and organised an International Rangzen Conference in the Indian capital of New Delhi from May 23-24, 2015.
In 2016, Rangzen activists based in the United States organised the Third International Rangzen Conference in New York and in 2017 Rangzen activists based in Europe organised the Fourth International Rangzen Conference in France’s capital city of Paris. Based on the decision of the last conference, an organising committee of Rangzen activists based in India was formed and the Fifth International Rangzen Conference is being held in Dharamshala from May 23-25, 2018.
The need and significance of the international Rangzen conference
The conference is being organised in protest against the black day 67 years ago when Tibet was forced to sign the so-called “17-Point Agreement”. The conference also marks 10 years of the 2008 peaceful protests which spread across the entire Tibetan plateau.
For the past 67 years, Chinese government policies on Tibet have remained brutal and oppressive and in response Tibetans have continued to rise up in protest – the ideal and hope for Rangzen has never been compromised. The conference is being organised in memory and honour of Tibetan martyrs – women and men carrying forward the powerful legacy of Tibetan sovereign emperors – who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tibet and continue to oppose and resist China’s illegal rule.
The struggle between Tibet and China is that of one between the oppressed and the oppressor and of sovereignty between nations. Tibetans have never cowed down under oppression and till the time comes when Tibetans reclaim ownership of our land, the demand for an independent Tibet, which is “the will of the dead and hope of the living” will be passed on as inheritance from father to son and generations to come will treat this struggle as their soul.
Declaration of the International Rangzen Conference
- The Conference reaffirms that in order to fulfill the enduring goal of restoring the independence of Tibet, generations of Tibetans will carry on the struggle with fortitude and diligence.
- The Conference condemns China in strongest terms for continuing its brutal occupation of Tibet for over 60 years which has caused death of more than a million Tibetans and irreparable damages to Tibetan culture, language and environment. And even as we conference here the situation in Tibet is getting worse everyday. Xi Jingping’s capitulation of his authoritarian dictatorship has further unleashed terror and anxiety in occupied Tibet. This the world must know and we resolve to spread the awareness and awaken the world to this sad reality.
- The Conference acknowledges the declarations made during the international Rangzen conferences held in 2015, 2016, and 2017 and will endeavour to implement the resolutions.
- The Conference recognises the current critical stage of the Tibetan struggle and the instances of suspicion and misgiving damaging our common cause and unity among exile Tibetans. The Conference calls on Tibetans dedicated to the struggle for an independent Tibet to continue to be fully aware of our friends and foes and direct all our efforts solely to our struggle with a patient and tolerant attitude towards internal meaningless misgivings.
- The Conference expresses its deep gratitude to the people and government of the great nation of India for their help and support during these most difficult times in the history of Tibet. The Conference reaffirms that India’s security is inextricably linked to a free Tibet and the Conference fervently appeals to the people and the government of India for their continued support for the cause of an independent Tibet. The Conference acknowledges the support of countries, organisations and individuals from across the world for the Tibetan cause and we appeal over again for your continued solidarity and support for the revival of a free and independent Tibet.
With resolute conviction in the imminent reunion of the Tibetan people in a free and independent Tibet and the glorious return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Potala Palace.
International Rangzen Conference
May 23-25, 2018 Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India
Victory to Tibet! Victory to Tibet’s independence!