The Tibetan Freedom Torch which represents the true Olympic values arrived in Swiss capital Berne on its journey around the world. On the occasion of this event, a national rally for Tibet took place. The Tibetan Freedom Torch was celebrated by more than 8000 persons who thronged in front of the parliament building. The organizers called on the Swiss government to engage with the Chinese leadership and the Olympic Committee to finally speak out.
Swiss Federal Council Doris Leuthard was strongly encouraged on her forthcoming trip to China to pressure the Chinese government to allow an international fact-finding commission into Tibet as soon as possible and to demand an immediate stop to the killings. In addition, humanitarian and medical assistance is needed to be extended to those injured and arrested. The Federal Council was urged to work for the release of all political prisoners in Tibet and, for the first time, to officially receive the Dalai Lama on his visit this year. The government should pressure the Chinese government to start substantive talks with the Dalai Lama.
People in Switzerland have expressed their deep concerns about the Chinese troops in Tibet. Within three weeks, more than 25,000 people signed the Tibet Petition and 176 parliament members from all political parties urged the government to act. Swiss students spontaneously joined together to support the rally. Despite this nationwide support for Tibet, disappointingly, the government has been extremely cautious.
The attitude of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) concerning the repression of peaceful protests in Tibet is unacceptable. It is reprehensible that the IOC largely follows the reasoning of Beijing. The Swiss citizens and the government were called upon to remind the IOC and the Chinese government of the promises of rapid human rights improvements made by the Chinese when awarded the games in 2001.
At the end of the rally, Tibetans handed over a Khatak to all western supporters present showing thus their gratitude for the huge solidarity for Tibet in Switzerland. This Tibetan symbol of friendship and prosperty stands also for the certainty that with a pure heart reconciliation and friendship can be achieved even between the worst enemies.
The rally was carried and supported by the Tibetan Community in Switzerland/Liechtenstein, the Association of Swiss-Tibetan Friendship, the Tibetan Youth Association in Europe, the Tibetan Women’s Organization in Switzerland, the Society for Threatened Peoples, the Alliance Sud as well as the Green Party and the Social democratic Party and its youth organizations.