Dear Tibetans, Dear friends of Tibet,
As agreed upon with the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and the Tibetan Communities-in-Exile as well as among TSGs, the Tibetan National Uprising Day European gathering will take place in:
Brussels, Belgium on Sunday 9 March 2003.
Tibetan National Uprising Day has come to symbolise ChinaÕs brutality over Tibet and its people. Given ChinaÕs ongoing repression of Tibet, the day remains of great significance and provides a poignant opportunity for Tibet supporters across Europe to once again remind the international community to act decisively in support of Tibet.
In acknowledging the exiled Tibetan leadershipÕs commitment to non-violence and the increasing possibility of dialogue with the Chinese Government, the demonstration will take a non-confrontational approach. The 9 March 2003 gathering in Brussels will therefore reflect the principles of non-violence and while still powerfully portraying messages of loss, hope and solidarity.
It is proposed that those gathered will create a visually spectacular human chain around the European institutions in Brussels (specifically the EU Commission, Parliament and Council). This is a distance of approximately 3km and it is estimated to require the involvement of at least 3,000 people. The key slogan of the gathering is still being decided.
Brussels has been chosen as the site of the 2003 demonstration as it is the capital of Europe and the home of the European Commission and the Council of the European Union. Being also the second largest diplomatic city in the world, Brussels provides the Tibet movement with an important base from which to make a strong, visual international appeal.
While the European Parliament has passed several resolutions regarding Tibet, European governments have not developed a proactive, concrete policy towards Tibet. The EU has a significant role to play in appointing a European Special Coordinator for Tibet and in facilitating dialogue between China and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile on the future status of Tibet. The time is ripe for the EU, its institutions and 15 member states to contribute actively towards a peaceful and satisfactory solution to the situation of Tibet.
Here is the tentative time-line of the gathering in Brussels: Proposed Program Noon: Welcome, Esplanade du Cinquantenaire (map to follow) Official stage - "Tibetan Village" (information desks, Tibetan dishes, yaks, etc).
1:00 p.m.: Introductory Gathering Welcome Message - Blessings and Prayer of Truth - Meaning of 10 March - Instructions about the Human Chain. 2:00 p.m.: Human Chain Participants will start walking from Esplanade du Cinquantenaire to adjacent streets surrounding the EU institutions and form a human chain. A silent moment lasting 15 minutes (symbolically 1 minute per EU member state will be held).
Then participants will walk back to Esplanade du Cinquantenaire to attend the closing gathering. 4:00 Ð5:00 p.m.: Closing Gathering 10 March Statement of H.H. the Dalai Lama - Messages of officials of the European Parliament, Intergroup Tibet, National Parliaments, prominent personalities Ð Farewell Message - Tibetan Anthem.
Please Note!
1. Participants will be informed before Christmas about further details concerning the program, accommodation, fundraising, ect.
2. Other events will take place in Brussels ahead of 9 March 2003:
Friday 7 March 2003: performance with Ven. Matthieu Ricard and monks from Sechen Monastery, Nepal Saturday evening 8 March 2003: cultural event.
3. Suggestions are welcome by Friday 20 December 2002 latest (See central phone and fax numbers as well as E-mail address listed below).
4. Donations are welcome as well. A special bank account will be published as soon as available.
The Organizing Committee:
- Tibetan Community of Belgium
- Les Amis du Tibet, Belgium
- Vrienden Van Tibet, Belgium
- TSG Netherlands
- Les Amis du Tibet, Luxembourg
- ICT Europe
For all messages please use the following:Phone/Fax: +32-2-5040803 E-mail:
amistibet.be@tibet-info.org 
