49 Years of Exile

The 49th anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's escape from Tibet has been observed with marches and demonstrations around the world.

Hundreds of exiled Tibetans have been stopped by Indian authorities from marching from Dharamsala, India, to Tibet to protest holding the summer Olympics games in China. Dharamsala is the seat of the Tibetan government in exile.

Speaking in Dharamsala, His Holiness said "Repression continues to increase, with numerous unimaginable and gross violations of human rights, denial of religious freedom and politicisation of religious issues." However, he rejected a call for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics. "During the past few years, Tibet has witnessed increased repression and brutality. In spite of these unfortunate developments, my stand and determination to pursue the 'Middle Way' policy remain unchanged," he said.

In Greece, police barred Tibetan activists calling themselves Team Tibet from the site of the ancient Olympic games. The Tibetans then held a torch-lighting ceremony outside the gates of the Olympic museum. Team Tibet plans to take its Tibetan Freedom Torch through 50 cities, finishing inside Tibet on August 8, the day of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.

Hundreds of Tibetan demonstrators clashed with police in Nepal. About 3,000 Tibetans had gathered in a temple complex in Kathmandu to observe the anniversary of the exile. When police barred a group of about 500 from leaving the complex to demonstrate in front of the Chinese embassy, the clashes began.

See also photographs at the BBC.

Photo Caption: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, photographed at the Ise International Forum for Religion at Kogakkan University on November 17, 2007 in Ise, Mie Prefecture, Japan.