China invades Tibet:

For centuries Tibet had remained a land removed from the rest of the world-not only in the geographical sense but also in its isolation from global politics. It is an irony of history that; at a time when many nations in Asia and Africa were under Western colonial rule, Tibet was an independent, sovereign country and today; when these former colonies have regained their freedom, Tibet is under China's colonial rule. Situated on the "Roof of the World" Tibet's separate language (both written and spoken); as well as her unique culture and way of life, distinguished the Tibetan people from the rest of Asia. In a land where Buddhism and the principle of non-violence were held supreme-where, in fact, their Spiritual and Temporal leader; the Dalai Lama; was believed to be the incarnation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion-Tibet had for centuries renounced war as an instrument of offensive policy. As such; at the time of communist China's military invasion in 1949 the Tibetan people were in no position to defend their country and their freedom.

Subsequently; as the free world looked on; China carried out a ruthless and systematic campaign to suppress any opposition to its rule in Tibet. In 1959; after ten years of failed negotiations; the Tibetan people staged a National Uprising against Chinese rule and the Dalai Lama was forced to flee for his life and to seek refuge in India. Senior members of his government accompanied him. Tens of thousands of ordinary Tibetans followed their leader into exile-many were slaughtered on the way by Chinese troops.

Inside Tibet the Chinese continued to strengthen their position-not just by destroying Tibetan religion and culture but also by removing any other vestige of traditional power. What is more; in order to reduce Tibet to just another colony under China's rule; Tibet was divided into six parts. What the world sees as Tibet today-the so - called Tibet Autonomous Region-is only about 50 % of traditional Tibet with one third of the population. The huge northeastern province of Amdo-where the present Dalai Lama was born-has been renamed Qinghai. Major areas of the Eastern Province of Kham have been sub - divided and absorbed into neighbouring Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Gansu and Yunnan.

Genocide in Tibet:

This is not all. China is actually carrying out a campaign of genocide in Tibet. Since China's invasion of Tibet in 1949 more that 1.2 million Tibetans have been massacred. Tens of thousands of other Tibetans-men, women and children-languish in Chinese prisons and slave labour camps. What is more; through a campaign of forced abortions, inter - marriages and transferring millions upon millions of landless and jobless Chinese into Tibet; Tibetans have been reduced to a minority in their own country. The situation is getting worse every day. As early as 1959 the International Commission of Jurists stated that the Chinese had "committed genocide in Tibet". Subsequently, many independent bodies-including the United Nations, the European Parliament and the United States Congress-have passed resolutions to confirm that gross human rights violations in Tibet continue to this day.

Dalai Lama in Exile:

On arriving in India in 1959 H. H. the Dalai Lama took some important decisions with far reaching implications. Among the most important were:

I. To set up the Tibetan Government - in - Exile. Now based in Dharamsala; it is this Government that every Tibetan recognizes as the legitimate Government of Tibet.

II. With the kind help of the respective governments; to set up Tibetan refugee settlements and schools in India, Nepal and Bhutan. The majority of the more than 130,000 Tibetans in exile live in these settlements and it is in these refugee schools where Tibetan children, born in exile, receive a good modern education while at the same time learning their own language and culture.

III. Initiating and implementing the process of democracy at every level of the Tibetan exile community.

Democracy in Exile:

As mentioned earlier; one of the first important decisions taken by His Holiness the Dalai Lama after taking refuge in India was to introduce democracy within the Tibetan exile community. Infact, one of the cherished goals of the 13th Dalai Lama had been to introduce democracy in Tibet. And; were it not for China's invasion and occupation; there is no doubt that by now democracy would have been firmly established in Tibet.

Building on the vision of his predecessor; on March 10, 1963 the present Dalai Lama promulgated the Democratic Constitution of Tibet. This made it absolutely clear that; while leading the Tibetan people's struggle for freedom; he was equally committed to establishing a democratic Tibet. Taking the process of democratization a step further; on June 14, 1991 the Dalai Lama announced the Charter for Tibetans in Exile. This brought in certain major changes; including expansion of the Assembly of Tibetans People's Deputies who; among other things, were empowered to elect members of the Kashag, the Council of Ministers; till then directly appointed by the Dalai Lama.