[New York :10th December, 2008]

Around 100 Tibetans and Tibet supporters gathered at the City Hall Square in New York City to mark the 60th Anniversary of World Human Rights Day. On this cloudy day with heavy rain fall by evening, Tibetans and supporters braved the heavy rainfall to protest the ongoing egregious human rights violations inside Tibet

The day started with the Tibetan National Anthem at the City Hall from where the protesters marched towards United Nations shouting slogans calling for an end to the "Human Rights Violations in Tibet". Carrying the Tibetan Flag and wearing "Free Tibet" vests, the high spirited marchers made sure that their voice was heard loud and clear. Throughout the day, they raised slogans urging the release of all Tibetan Political prisoners including the Panchen Lama Gendun Choekyi Nyima, Tulku Tenzin Delek, Rongye Adak and others.

The protest was joined by the two Chinese groups, China Peace and Chinese Coalition of Citizen's Rights. They spoke about their immense respect for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and told us that majority of the Chinese people supported and respected the Dalai Lama. As they expressed support for the Tibetan cause and criticism of the Chinese Communist party, they said that they are waiting for the downfall of the Chinese Communist Party.

Standing in front of the United Nations building, RTYC New York and New Jersey president addressed the crowd and said that, "although the UN has proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 60 years ago, China who is a member of the UN Security Council is not abiding and respecting these principles. Torture is still widespread and is still the primary weapon to suppress the Tibetans under the Chinese rule." RTYC President also submitted a petition to the UN General Secretary through his office on behalf of Tibetans and supporters, urging the need of immediate end to the violation of Human Rights in Tibet.

Representatives from "China Peace" and "Chinese coalition for citizen's rights" groups reiterated the speech made by the Dalai Lama who stressed on his strong belief in the Chinese people. Mr. Sonam Wangchuk, the joint Secretary of the RTYC highlighted a few cases of the use of Torture and Human Rights violations in Tibet including the arrest of Octogenarian Tibetan, Paljor Norbu and a senior Labrang Monastery monk Jigme Gyatso.

Human Rights Day stands for the right to be free, the right to equality and the right to live a good life. It was 60 years ago when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Day was signed in the United Nations. After the horrors and cruelty of World War II made the world aware of the human rights violations, the world said no more. But human rights are still violated inside Tibet. Just recently an 81 year old Tibetan printer by the name of Paljor Norbu was arrested and imprisoned for 7 years for the printing of Tibetan Flag.

From the United Nations, the protestors marched towards the Chinese Consulate in New York via Time Square on 42nd street raising slogans. The protestors continued to raise slogans at the Chinese Consulate till the evening. The day concluded with the singing of the Tibetan National Anthem.