Thousands of Tibet supporters assembled in Brussels on Sunday March 9, 2003, to join hands and create a visually spectacular human chain of solidarity for the Tibetan cause.
While honouring those that died at the hands of Chinese authorities, the participants assembled around the European Union institutions (Commission, Council and Parliament) and called on the EU to establish a cohesive policy towards Tibet and to persuade China to establish formal dialogue with the Tibetan government-in-exile.
Tibetan National Uprising Day is recognized annually across the world and is honored on a large-scale in Europe every two years. Tibetan National Uprising Day calls international attention to China’s brutality over Tibet and its people. It marks the day when the Tibetan people rose against the occupying armies of China. Outnumbered by the People’s Liberation Army, thousands of Tibetan civilians and soldiers lost their lives on March 10, 1959, in defending their country and their leader, the Dalai Lama.
The day consequently remains of great significance to the Tibetan people, both in Tibet and in exile. Tibetan exiles and Tibet supporters are expected to come from across Europe to participate in this non-violent gathering.
A ‘Tibetan Village’ encompassing stalls, food, live music and other activities was set up at the Esplanade du Cinquantenaire on Sunday, March 9. Participants of the human Chain for Change in Tibet gathered there at 1:00pm with events ending at approximately 5:00pm.
The event was jointly organized by the Tibetan Community of Belgium, Les Amis du Tibet and Vrienden Van Tibet (Belgium), TSG Netherlands, Les Amis du Tibet (Luxembourg) and ICT-Europe.