15,000 IN GENEVA ON MARCH 9TH AND 10TH FOR FREEDOM IN TIBET. THE POLITICAL PLATFORM OF THE MANIFESTATIONS: THE OPENING OF SINO-TIBETAN NEGOTIATIONS

Brussels, January 23rd, 1997. At the conclusion of the work of the 2nd European Seminar for the liberty of Tibet and the Tibetan communities in Europe, the groups who support Tibet in Europe - the Tibet InterGroup at the European Parliament and the Transnational Radical Party - have organized the 2nd European manifestation for the freedom of Tibet on March 9th and 10th, 1997. It will take place at the seat of the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva.

The objective is to bring a minimum of 15,000 people from all over Europe to request the immediate opening of negotiations between the government of Peking and the Tibetan government in exile, as has been requested repeatedly by the Dalai Lama for a peaceful and non violent solution of the Tibetan question.

Three moments of mobilization are planned in Geneva: On March 9th, a march will proceed through the streets of the city from the offices of the Chinese government to the gates of the United Nations; a candlelight vigil will be held that same evening along the shores of the lake; on March 10th, the day that commemorates the non violent Lhasa uprising of 1959, a sitting will be held at the gates of the United Nations. The participation of many European political figures is scheduled, and also of Chinese dissidents in exile and internationally known artists who have been involved in the Tibetan cause for many years.

The political platform of the manifestation is attached.

European Coordination for "Geneva 1997" (Brussels)

Tel. +32-230.41.21 - 284.71.98

Fax. +32-230.36.70 - 284.91.98