Published by: World Tibet Network News, Tuesday, Mar 12, 1996

Source: PTI news agency, New Delhi, in English 1506 gmt 10 Mar 96

Text of report by the Indian news agency PTI

Shimla, 10th March: Thousands of Tibetans took out processions at different places in the resort state of Himachal Pradesh in India to mark the 37th anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day on Sunday [10th March].

The rallies at Dharamsala, the seat of Tibetan government in exile, state capital Shimla and other places highlighted continued violation of human rights in Chinese-occupied Tibet and appealed to the international community to restore Tibetan's right to independence and self determination.

The president of the Tibetan regional freedom movement, Saho Dhondup Rinzin and president of the regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Dorji Tsering, urged the United Nations to implement the general assembly resolution passed in 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1965 and solicit support for Tibetan cause from world governments.

They asked the UN to pressurize China to stop massive transfer of population into Tibet and give up its designs to convert Tibetans into minority community in their own homeland.

The Tibetan leaders reiterated the demand for declaring Tibet as zone of peace and sought international support for the five-point peace plan initiated by the Dalai Lama.