TYC resolves to fight for independence

CHANDIGARH, Sept 4: The tenth general body meeting of the Tibetan Youth Congress has resolved to fight for complete independence of Tibet...

CHANDIGARH, Sept 4: The tenth general body meeting of the Tibetan Youth Congress has resolved to fight for complete independence of Tibet with greater vigour, though with full faith in he leadership of the Dalai Lama who differs in his stand and suggests 8220;genuine autonomy rather than complete independence for Tibet8221; under the present circumstances.

The meeting which culminated here on Wednesday night with the formulation of new TYC Centrex with Tseten Norbu and Karma Yeshi getting re-elected as president and vice-president, called for a harder strategy on the part of youth organization of the struggling Tibetans to meet the growing Chinese adamancy on the issue of Tibet.

8220;The TYC representatives from the 63 chapters all over the world have resolved that if the United Nations failed to consider their demands of resumption of debate on Tibet, appointment of special reporter to investigate human rights situation in Tibet and initiation of UN supervised plebiscite in Tibet, at the earliest, the organisation would resume the hunger strike-unto-death to press the points8221;, said a release by the the vice president Karma Yeshi, adding that the venue and the time would, however, be decided by the TYC Centrex, considering all aspects.

The TYC had halted its fast unto death at Delhi in May last following assurances by Norway, Costa Rica, Poland and parliamentarians and non-governmental organisations from different countries regarding their stepped-up pursuit on the question of Tibet internationally. The UN Secretary General had also approached the TYC through various channels to stop the strike for the issue demanded some time for review on the situation.

The TYC delegates expressed serious concern over the increasing social and religious repression inside Tibet and decided to find ways and means to put an end to the Sinocisation of the Tibetan culture, Chinese population influx in occupied Tibet, to counter the Chinese policy of banning the pictures of the Dalai Lama in Tibet, to oppose the 8220;re-education drive being launched by the Chinese government to change the Tibetan outlook and to preserve the rich Tibetan culture and identity while struggling in exile.The TYC also stressed the need for a greater lobbying at the international platform to motivate more and more countries join the cause of Tibet8217;s independence through genuine concern.

The meeting was followed by the Dalai Lama8217;s address on the beginning day i.e. August 27 wherein he had said that difference of opinion was a welcome and positive sign for a healthy democracy. He said he had some reasons for no longer seeking independence for Tibet, but the TYC had remained steadfast in its demanding complete independence for Tibet. The Tibetan leader had applauded the active role played by the TYC activists in highlighting the issue of Tibet consistently at all platforms.

Meanwhile, Pema Lhundup has been elected the secretary in new TYC Centrex. He was earlier working as joint secretary.