“Confront the stark realities that challenge the very essence of Tibetan identity,” declared Luke de Pulford, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), as he addressed a passionate crowd gathered opposite Downing Street.
The rally, held on the 66th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day, drew several hundred British Tibetans, human rights activists, and supporters, all united in remembrance of March 10, 1959—a day when Tibetans rose against China’s invasion. The event was jointly organized by the Tibetan Community in Britain, Free Tibet, and the Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM), with calls for action against Beijing’s policies of cultural erasure and repression in Tibet.
Tibet, once an independent nation, has been under Chinese occupation since the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) invaded in 1950. After years of escalating control and suppression, resistance culminated in the 1959 uprising, which was brutally crushed by Chinese forces, leading to the exile of the Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetans. The aftermath of this historic struggle continues to shape Tibet’s identity crisis today.
In his speech, de Pulford warned of the systematic erosion of Tibetan identity. He condemned Beijing’s forced assimilation policies, particularly the mass enrolment of Tibetan children in colonial-style boarding schools designed to replace their native language, culture, and religious practices with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ideology.
“Despite its rich cultural legacy, Tibet has endured severe human rights violations,” de Pulford stated. “The United Nations General Assembly has passed resolutions expressing grave concerns about the violation of the Tibetan people’s fundamental human rights and freedoms. As early as 1959, the UN highlighted the suppression of Tibet’s distinctive cultural and religious life.”
De Pulford’s words resonated deeply with the crowd, many of whom carried Tibetan flags and banners demanding justice. The atmosphere was both solemn and defiant, reflecting the ongoing suffering of Tibetans under Chinese rule.
Among the most pressing concerns raised at the rally was China’s large-scale assimilation programme targeting Tibetan children. Reports indicate that approximately one million Tibetan children have been forcibly enrolled in Chinese state-run boarding schools, separated from their families and taught primarily in Mandarin Chinese.
This policy, de Pulford stressed, is a calculated effort to sever Tibetan children from their heritage. “This, as we all know, is a large-scale programme aimed at assimilating Tibetans into the majority Han culture, contravening international human rights standards,” he said.
Speakers at the rally highlighted the devastating psychological and cultural impact of these schools. Activists described them as institutions of indoctrination, where Tibetan history is rewritten to align with the CCP’s narrative and traditional Tibetan Buddhist teachings are replaced with Communist ideology.
A Tibetan mother, who fled to the UK from Tibet over a decade ago, shared her distress. “I fear for the children left behind,” she said. “They are taken away from their families, their homes, their language. This is not education. This is destruction.”
Beyond the forced assimilation of children, speakers also addressed Beijing’s relentless efforts to suppress Tibetan religious and cultural practices. Reports of widespread surveillance, arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on religious gatherings have escalated in recent years.
The Chinese government has tightened control over Tibetan monasteries, requiring monks and nuns to undergo “patriotic education” that promotes loyalty to the CCP. The CCP’s interference in the selection of the next Dalai Lama has also sparked international outcry, with Beijing insisting that it alone holds the authority to appoint the reincarnation of Tibet’s most revered spiritual leader.
Tibetan activists at the rally warned that this interference threatens the very survival of their faith. “Tibetan Buddhism cannot be dictated by the Communist Party,” one speaker declared. “Beijing’s attempt to control our religion is an attempt to control our souls.”
While China continues to tighten its grip on Tibet, many at the rally called for stronger international action. The UK government has historically avoided formally recognizing Tibet as an independent nation, instead acknowledging China’s claim while urging Beijing to respect human rights. However, campaigners argue that the UK must go further.
De Pulford emphasized that the campaign for Tibet is not just about Tibetan self-determination, but about defending universal human rights. “The UK has a moral duty to ensure Tibet’s plight is neither forgotten nor ignored,” he urged.
He also pointed to China’s broader human rights violations, including the mass detention of Uyghurs in Xinjiang and the crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong. “The CCP’s repression does not stop at Tibet,” he warned. “It is part of a systematic assault on freedom across all territories under Beijing’s control.”
The Tibetan cause has gained renewed international attention in recent years, with more governments addressing China’s human rights abuses. The United States has passed legislation imposing sanctions on Chinese officials responsible for Tibet’s repression, while Canada and European nations have increasingly scrutinized China’s policies in the region.
The UK has taken steps, such as condemning China’s boarding school policies, but activists argue that stronger action—such as targeted sanctions and diplomatic pressure—is needed. The call for greater accountability was echoed by several British lawmakers who attended the rally, pledging to raise Tibet’s case in Parliament.
For British Tibetans, the annual March 10th commemoration is more than a remembrance—it is a declaration that their struggle has not ended. Many in attendance were second- and third-generation Tibetans, born in exile but deeply connected to their homeland.
Dorjee Tsering, a young Tibetan activist, addressed the rally with a powerful message: “We are the voices China wants to silence. But as long as we stand together, Tibet lives on.”
His words underscored a key message of the gathering: that despite decades of oppression, Tibetan resilience endures. Songs of resistance filled the air as demonstrators chanted slogans calling for a free Tibet, their voices echoing through the streets of London.
- Full Transcript of Luke de Pulford’s Address on 10th March 2025:
“Dear friends and esteemed guests,
As we gather to commemorate Tibet National Day, we rightly honour a land of profound spirituality and cultural richness. Yet, we must also confront the stark realities that challenge the very essence of Tibetan identity.
Tibet has been a beacon of unique cultural and spiritual traditions for centuries. Dr. Lobsang Sangay, former Sikyong (President) of the Central Tibetan Administration, once said “The issue of Tibet is not just about six million Tibetans; it’s about justice, human rights, and freedom that we all cherish.”
That we ALL cherish. We have heard words like these spoken often. So often that their significance may pass us by. Living in the UK, few of us have to confront the loss of those cherished rights. As a result, many have forgotten their value.
But the former Sikyong’s sentiment touches upon something crucial to those of us who believe in human solidarity. The quest to preserve Tibetan heritage is not just a matter for the people of Tibet, indeed, it is not a matter for the people of China or any other single body of peoples. It is an imperative for us all.
And that imperative is urgent.
Despite its rich cultural legacy, Tibet has endured severe human rights violations. The United Nations General Assembly has passed resolutions expressing grave concerns about the violation of the Tibetan people’s fundamental human rights and freedoms. As early as 1959, the UN has highlighted the suppression of the distinctive cultural and religious life of the Tibetan people.
More recently, reports indicate that around one million Tibetan children are compelled to attend state-run boarding schools, separated from their families and taught primarily in Mandarin Chinese. This, as we all know, is a large-scale programme aimed at assimilating Tibetans into the majority Han culture, contravening international human rights standards.
The issues don’t stop with egregious human rights abuses. Even the land bears the scars of oppression.
China’s plans to construct a massive hydroelectric dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River threatens to disrupt the river’s natural flow, impacting agriculture and access to drinking water downstream.
It’s so serious that it could impact India and Bangladesh, which have both raised concerns. A recent earthquake in Tibet highlighted the seismic risks associated with such large-scale infrastructure projects. The 6.8 magnitude quake resulted in significant casualties and damage to reservoirs, underscoring the potential dangers of constructing dams in this seismically active region.
So, why don’t we hear more about this? Why isn’t it front-page news?
It is true that the international community has increasingly voiced concerns over the situation in Tibet. In October 2024, Australia, the United States, and 13 other countries criticised China at the United Nations for alleged human rights abuses in regions including Tibet, urging China to uphold its international human rights obligations. This is one of many recent statements, including those made by members of IPAC globally. It’s also encouraging to see pro-Tibet protests in Taiwan today, for the first time ever.
But it’s not enough. For too long, Tibet has languished in the “too difficult” pile, hampered by its perception internationally as a conflict over territory. Beijing is very successful with this strategy. Have you ever noticed a pattern? Every time Beijing persecutes a minority, they justify it with reference to sovereignty and territory? Beijing’s leaders have worked hard on the Tibet issue, to muddy the waters, making it a “complicated territorial dispute” in the minds of foreign onlookers.
Friends, my experience is this: when an issue becomes a dispute about Chinese territory, we lose. Think of Hong Kong. Think of East Turkestan. Think of Inner Mongolia.
This is not because people don’t care about sovereignty questions. It’s because the barriers to entry are too high. In order to debate an issue where sovereignty is disputed, some knowledge of the history of the region is required. Think of the Falkland Islands. In order to take a reasoned position, it’s essential to know about their history of ownership and development, even when disputed by both sides. Friends, not everyone in Parliament knows about the history of the Falkland Islands, and this is a UK overseas territory. If they don’t know about a UK territory, how many do you think know the history of Tibet? Beijing understands this, which is why they seek to cloak their persecution in sovereignty related issues.
Let’s be clear: separating children from their families has nothing to do with sovereignty. Destroying natural habitats and places of cultural importance has nothing to do with sovereignty. Mass forced labour has nothing to do with sovereignty.
Now, while some of the issues are unavoidably about sovereignty, it’s important to emphasise that the campaign for Tibet isn’t solely a campaign for self-determination. It’s a campaign against violations of UNIVERSAL rights.
Our politicians, at all levels, have no excuse for failing to decry these heinous abuses, and friends, it is up to us to hold their feet to the fire to ensure that they do.
So, as we observe Tibet National Day, it is imperative to reaffirm our commitment to supporting the Tibetan people’s struggle for human rights, environmental preservation, and cultural integrity. This involves:
Awareness: Educating the global community about the environmental and cultural threats facing Tibet. I can’t emphasise this enough. In a political environment where MPs aren’t picking this up for fear of making a mistake, we need to be teaching them all about Tibet, patiently, methodically, with objectivity and persistence.
Advocacy: Urging governments and international bodies to hold China accountable for human rights violations in Tibet. This means deploying sharp-edged parliamentary tools to force a government response. It also means speaking to your MPs. You all have that right. If you haven’t done it, why not? Now is the time, and it really makes a difference.
Solidarity: Standing with Tibetan communities in their peaceful efforts to preserve their heritage and identity.
As the Dalai Lama once said: “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping next to a mosquito.” So, in the spirit of resilience and determination, let us honour our collective responsibility by advocating for a Tibet where human rights are respected, cultures are preserved, and the environment is protected.
