PLATFORM FOR THE 10TH OF MARCH 1996 DEMONSTRATION IN BRUSSELS

The participants in the demonstration demand that:

1. the 1949 invasion and subsequent occupation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China be recognized by the UN and its member states.

2. the UN and its member states recognize the fact that the invasion and occupation were, and still are, carried out by means of aggression, violating international law.

3. the UN and its member states recognize and take appropriate action regarding the fact that Tibet, according to international law, is an occupied country.

4. Tibet be given observer status at the General Assembly of the UN.

5. the mandate of the committee of decolonization of the UN be extended to the issue of Tibet.

6. without further delay, direct negotiations be opened, without preconditions on the future status of Tibet, between the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan government in exile and the government of the People's Republic of China.

7. in the meantime the violations of human rights in Tibet end immediately and all political prisoners detained in Tibet be released.

8. the freedom of religion be really guaranteed and no pressure or intimidation against Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family in any way will be undertaken, particularly as regards his freedom to perform his spiritual role as the Panchen Lama and thus his free access to the education necessary for this role;

9. the transfer of Chinese people to Tibet be immediately stopped and that the process of decolonization of Tibet be initiated by returning to the Tibetan people the land, the means of production and the properties appropriated during the 40 years of Chinese occupation.

10. the three resolutions (1353, 1723, 2079) adopted by the General Assembly of the UN be applied and that the resolutions adopted by the European Parliament are followed up.

The participants express:

- their support for the Tibetan people and for all the victims of the Chinese occupation.

- their support for the efforts of the Dalai Lama to peacefully reinstate the political, cultural and religious freedoms of the Tibetan people.

- their appeal to the Chinese people and to its representatives to begin a process for peace, based on a dialogue and negotiations as the only solution capable of bringing the current tragedy in Tibet to an end.