Hundreds of people in Taiwan marched to honor the 66th anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day, protesting against China's cultural and ethnic genocide in Tibet. This year's march, attended by members of Taiwan's National Human Rights Commission for the first time, emphasized that Tibet has never been a part of China and called for attention to the ongoing human rights violations. Representative of the Tibetan government in exile to Taiwan, Kelsang Gyaltsen Bawa, highlighted that the Seventeen-Point Agreement signed by Tibet in 1951 was a deceptive tactic used by the Chinese Communist Party, leading to the deaths of over 1.2 million Tibetans.
Amid the commemoration of the 66th anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising Day, Prime Minister-in-exile Penpa Tsering has warned of China's deliberate and dangerous attempts to erase the unique Tibetan identity through extensive sinicisation policies. He also highlighted the suppression of religious freedom, forced enrolment of Tibetan children in colonial-style schools, and environment damage caused by Chinese projects. With talks between the Dalai Lama and Chinese authorities breaking down in 2010, the situation for Tibetans remains critical.
The annual Taiwanese event, attended for the first time by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), saw hundreds of protesters march in Taipei to honor the 66th anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day and remember the millions who died at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party. Taiwan's Vice Chairperson of the NHRC, Wang Yu-ling Wang, emphasized the universal value of human rights and Taiwan's potential fate at the hands of China. Tibetan government representative Kelsang Gyaltsen Bawa spoke out against China's occupation and control of Tibet, while also highlighting the event's significance in uniting against China's oppression and preserving cultural heritage.