The 67th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan National Uprising was commemorated across London with rallies, civic gatherings and a peace march, bringing together politicians, activists and members of the Tibetan diaspora to highlight ongoing human rights concerns in Tibet.
The programme began at Woolwich Town Hall, where the Tibetan national flag was displayed as a symbol of solidarity with the Tibetan people. The event was organised by the Greenwich Tibetan Association in collaboration with the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Although the formal flag-raising ceremony could not be held due to building repair works, local officials welcomed members of the Tibetan community and residents for a symbolic gathering and photo session.
Later, supporters assembled at Whitehall, near Downing Street, for a rally addressing the human rights situation in Tibet. Speakers included Lord David Alton, Alicia Kearns MP, Luke de Pulford of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, Norman Baker, and Phuntsok Norbu of the Tibetan Community in Britain. They urged democratic governments to address alleged rights violations in Tibet and called for respect for Tibetan religious and cultural freedoms, including recognition of the next Dalai Lama.
Participants then marched through central London in an annual peace march before concluding outside the Chinese Embassy, where activists from Tibetan, Uyghur and Hong Kong communities expressed solidarity over shared concerns about human rights.
The day concluded with a commemorative programme at the Indian YMCA organised by the Tibetan Community in Britain with several advocacy groups. The event included prayers, remembrance activities and speeches highlighting the preservation of Tibetan culture, language and identity.
Speakers including Dr. Shao Jiang, a Chinese dissident and scholar-activist, discussed political and cultural challenges facing Tibetans. Youth representatives and international rights advocates also emphasised the importance of continued global advocacy and peaceful activism.
Organisers said the events aimed to honour those who participated in the 1959 uprising while reaffirming international solidarity with the Tibetan people and their calls for freedom, dignity and cultural preservation.
