Tibetans protest against China’s use of ‘Seventeen-Point Agreement’ to legitimize control over Tibet

By Lobsang Tenchoe

DHARAMSALA, May 23: The Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC), Dharamsala today protested the imposition of the infamous ‘Seventeen-Point Agreement’ and condemned China on the 66th year of Chinese invasion and occupation of Tibet today.

18678976_1532585786785826_934099510_nMembers of RTYC-Dharamsala performed a skit to portray how China forced the Tibetan delegation led by Ngabo Ngawang Jigme to sign the treaty by force and distributed pamphlets on the Seventeen-Point Agreement on May 23, 1951.

“China forced the Tibetan delegation led by Ngabo Ngawang Jigme to sign the ‘Seventeen-Point Agreement’ on May 23, 1951 in Beiging. China, even today uses this narrative to legitimize their control over Tibet, calling it the ‘Peaceful Liberation’ and uses this document to legally make Tibet a part of People’s Republic of China in the world,” RTYC said in their statement.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama repudiated the agreement signed under duress once he arrived in exile on June 20, 1959. The Dalai Lama declared the ‘Seventeen-Point Agreement’ as having been thrust upon the then Tibetan government and people by the threat of arms.

“Though the Chinese government celebrates this day, May 23 as the ‘Peaceful Liberation of Tibet’, Tibetans remember it as a ‘Black Day’ in our history and will work towards restoring the independence of Tibet,” the statement concluded.