More than thousand Tibetans gathered in Dharamsala on December 10, 2013 to celebrate the 24th anniversary of the Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize and the 65th International Human Rights Day.
Lobsang Sangay, the head of Tibetan administration in exile and Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament presided over the official function, which was also attended by government officials and representatives of various NGOs.
Sangay reiterated Tibetan administration's commitment to the Middle-Way Approach by the Dalai Lama saying that dialogue is the most realistic approach and the only way to find a mutually beneficial solution to the Tibet issue. "The Middle-Way Approach neither seeks separation from the People’s Republic of China nor “high degree of autonomy”, but Genuine Autonomy for all Tibetan people under a single administration. This is consistent with both the National Regional Autonomy Law and the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China."
Deputy Speaker Sonam Tenphel said China's recent entry into the United Nations Human Rights Council became possible after it agreed to implement all the international human rights instruments and to respect the rights of the ethnic minorities within the People’s Republic of China. "I therefore take this opportunity to ask China to implement its promises and also urge the international community to closely scrutinize China on this issue."
A few senior civil servants of the Central Tibetan Administration were also honored for their services at the gathering. School children and members of various organizations performed Tibetan songs and dances for the guests.
NGOs in Dharamsala are also marking the Human Rights Day through signature campaigns and concerts to highlight the banned freedom of speech in Tibet.