Exiled Tibetans living in Dharamsala marked International Human Rights Day on Tuesday by demanding freedom for fellow Tibetans who, they say, are still oppressed by the Chinese rule.
It was on this day in 1948 that the General Assembly of United Nations had adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Spokesperson of the Tibetan government in-exile, Tashi Phuntsok expressed concern over the issue of Tibet, as people in the region do not enjoy human rights.
"Tenth December though on one hand is sad day for us because Tibetans in Tibet still do not enjoy any form of human rights but at the same time the issue of Tibet is very much in focus alive around the world because of his holiness the Dalai Lama's image around the world," said Phuntsok.
Since 2009, more than 120 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in China over protest against Beijing's policies in Tibet and nearby regions with large Tibetan populations. Majority of them were calling for the return of spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
Phuntsok also urged China to address the causes of self-immolation in Tibet.
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"Only thing that China can do good for Tibet as well as for itself is to try to address the causes of self-immolation in Tibet," he added.
Meanwhile, appealing the leaders of Beijing government, the head of human rights desk of Central Tibetan Administration, Kalden Tsomo said that China should put an end to their oppressive policies.
"To the PRC (People's Republic of China), I would like to appeal the leaders of Beijing government that now it is the 21st century and repression, suppression will not give the stable government. If PRC really looks forward to have a stable government, really would like to project a good image to the international community the best way is to address the need of the people by considering their need, by making them to involve not by isolating them," said Tsomo.
Violence has flared in Tibet since 1950, when Beijing claimed it "peacefully liberated" the region. Many Tibetans say Chinese rule has eroded their culture and religion. They are agitating for the Dalai Lama's return from exile in India, and genuine autonomy for their homeland.
The Chinese government denies trampling Tibetan rights and boasts of having brought development and prosperity to the region.
Expressing dismay, a Buddhist nun, Dolma said that Tibetans do not enjoy human rights.
"I really think it is a sad day for Tibetan people because whole world is enjoying and celebrating the human rights but in Tibet there are no human rights at all. They have no enjoyment in their hearts. They are always sad. They never get freedom," said Dolma.
As shocking as the first suicides were, people self-immolated themselves, Tibetan scholars say, in reaction to specific instances of abuse at particular monasteries. Tibetan Buddhist monasteries are often under surveillance and subject to raids by Chinese security forces.
Beijing considers the Dalai Lama, who fled China in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule, a violent separatist. The Dalai Lama, who is based in India, says he is merely seeking greater autonomy for his Himalayan homeland.
Tensions have mounted between Tibet and China since 2008, after riots that broke out in the Tibet Autonomous Region and the Tibetan parts of China, which led to a government crackdown.