The Kashag, or Cabinet, of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile will jointly hold a prayer service and peaceful march in Dharamsala on August 20. The events will mark the 49th day since Lobsang Palden self-immolated in protest against China’s policies in Tibet.
Palden, also known as Lobga Rangzen, set himself on fire on July 2 outside the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Tibetan groups said he was protesting China’s policies in Tibet and the recently introduced “Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress Law”.
A two-hour prayer service will be held at Tsuglagkhang Temple in McLeodganj. The 49th day holds special significance in Tibetan Buddhist tradition as it marks the end of the traditional bardo period. The prayers will remember Palden and other Tibetans who have died for the Tibetan cause.
The prayer service will be followed by a peaceful march in Dharamsala to express solidarity and remember those who have sacrificed their lives for Tibet. CTA Sikyong Penpa Tsering and other members of the Kashag will take part in the march.
The Kashag has also asked Tibetan Settlement Offices and Offices of Tibet in different regions to hold prayer services. This will allow Tibetans around the world to observe the 49th day together.
The programmes are being held amid concerns among Tibetan groups over China’s new ethnic unity law. They have alleged that the legislation could further push the assimilation of Tibetans and other ethnic minority communities in China.
Since Palden’s death, Tibetans in several countries have held campaigns, gatherings and peaceful demonstrations against Chinese policies. Members of Uyghur, Mongolian and pro-democracy Chinese communities have also taken part in some of these events in support of Tibetans.
The CTA said countries including Australia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Switzerland, the UK and the US have raised concerns or criticised the “Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress Law” in recent months.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has also expressed concern about the possible impact of the law on minority-language education, religious freedom and cultural rights. The European Parliament has also criticised the legislation and called for it to be withdrawn, the CTA said.
At the same time, the Tibetan leadership has urged people not to view self-immolation as a way to pursue political goals. It said the loss of even one Tibetan patriot represents a deep loss for the Tibetan cause.
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