Tibetan Community in Switzerland Marks 66th Anniversary of Tibetan Democracy

The Tibetan Community in Switzerland commemorated the 66th Anniversary of Tibetan Democracy with a gathering of nearly 200 community members at Grosshalle Töss, Tössstalstrasse, bringing together religious leaders, former members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, representatives of Tibetan organisations, community leaders and guests.

Among the distinguished guests were Rikon Khen Rinpoche Tenzin Jangchup, Thinlay Chukki, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, former members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Phuntsok Topgyal, UN Advocacy Officer of the Office of Tibet, Geneva, and representatives of Tibetan NGOs.

The programme began with traditional prayers, followed by the Tibetan national anthem, a minute of silence in remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives for Tibet, and the Tibetan Democracy Day song. Representatives of the Tibetan Community subsequently presented their annual activity reports and financial accounts, reflecting the community’s commitment to transparency, accountability and democratic participation.

Addressing the gathering, Thinlay Chukki highlighted the significance of Tibetan democracy and the responsibility it places on every Tibetan. Recalling her earlier participation in a conference in Berlin, she spoke of an encounter with young boy from Hong Kong who expressed their desire to contribute to the future of their nation but were uncertain about how they could do so. The experience, she said, reinforced her appreciation of the democratic institutions available to Tibetans today, established under the visionary leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Thinlay Chukki also briefed the community on recent developments concerning China’s ethnic policies and proposed ethnic unity legislation, expressing concern over their potential long-term implications for Tibetan language, culture, religion, traditions and identity. She emphasised that preserving Tibetan identity is a collective responsibility requiring active engagement from every generation.

She further called on Tibetans to exercise responsibility and sensitivity in their use of social media, noting that Tibetans inside Tibet closely follow the activities and statements of Tibetans living abroad. She urged community members to ensure that their public expressions do not unintentionally cause discouragement or distress to those living under difficult circumstances inside Tibet.

Following the address, Phuntsok Topgyal, UN Advocacy Officer of the Office of Tibet, Geneva, presented an overview of the Bureau’s international advocacy and outreach work. His presentation covered the Bureau’s activities from 2022 to 2025, providing the community with a broader understanding of its engagement at the international level.

The presentation highlighted the Office of Tibet’s engagement with the United Nations, diplomatic missions, international organisations and civil society, as well as its efforts to maintain international attention on the human rights situation in Tibet and the preservation of Tibet’s distinct cultural, religious and linguistic identity. It also underlined the importance of sustained and long-term international engagement, particularly as the Tibet issue may require continued advocacy for many years to come.

The celebration concluded with a renewed commitment among members of the Tibetan community to safeguard their democratic heritage, preserve Tibetan identity and culture, support Tibetans inside Tibet, and uphold the principles of non-violence, democracy, human rights and compassion championed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.