Broad coalition commemorates International Human Rights Day in Amsterdam

On December 10, 2025, at the initiative of Tibet Support Groep Nederland, a gathering took place in Amsterdam to commemorate the 75th anniversary of International Human Rights Day and to celebrate the 36th anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Representatives of a broad coalition of human rights organizations participated, including the Tibetan Community in the Netherlands, Stichting Uyghur Support, Southern Mongolian Congress, Students for a Free Tibet, Cantonia Independence Party, Netherlands for Hong Kong, and many Dutch sympathizers.

A simple yet profound truth

Throughout the afternoon, speakers affirmed a simple yet profound truth: every human being deserves dignity, freedom, and the opportunity to flourish. As the participants made clear, this truth is still being denied in Tibet, East Turkestan, Southern Mongolia, Hong Kong, and other regions under Chinese occupation, where systematic oppression and widespread violations of fundamental rights continue.

In her opening remarks, Tsering Jampa emphasized the painful reality that in Tibet, the most basic freedoms — religious practice, language, expression, freedom of movement, and peaceful assembly — are severely restricted by the Chinese Communist Party. These are not isolated restrictions, but deliberate policies that strike at the cultural and spiritual core of the Tibetan people, whose identity is rooted in compassion, nonviolence, and a deep sense of shared humanity.

The Dalai Lama and nonviolence

For Tibetans, this day carries a special, deeply personal significance. On December 10, 1989, His Holiness the Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize for his lifelong commitment to peace, compassion, and nonviolent struggle. His example continues to inspire Tibetans and countless others worldwide. Tibet remains a test for the world: does nonviolence still have a place in global politics?

Two central messages

Two central messages formed the core of the gathering:

• An urgent appeal to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk to not only speak out unambiguously about China’s serious and ongoing human rights violations in Tibet and other regions, but also to ensure that China complies with these findings and implements the necessary changes.

• A call to the international community not to let nonviolence die in silence — to support peaceful movements that seek justice without hatred or retaliation.

Participants renewed their solidarity with one another and pledged to remain actively engaged against Chinese atrocities in Tibet, East Turkestan, Southern Mongolia, and Hong Kong. Gatherings like this remind us that collective voices — across borders, cultures, and histories — contribute to understanding and keep the flame of human rights alive.

Broad coalition of human rights organizations gathered in Amsterdam for International Human Rights Day 2025