Czech towns join in Flag for Tibet initiative

Hundreds of town halls and institutions around the Czech Republic on Tuesday joined the Flag for Tibet initiative expressing support for Tibetan independence. The Flag for Tibet initiative traditionally takes place on March 10th marking the anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising in Lhasa which was brutally suppressed by the Chinese regime. Deputies from the Green Party hung the Tibetan flag in a window of the Czech Parliament building despite warnings from diplomats ahead of a planned EU-China summit in Prague in May. Tibetan flags were also hoisted at the environment and education ministries.

Due to the Czech Republic’s communist past, many Czechs have a strong affinity for Tibet and the anniversary was marked by dozens of events around the country including Free Tibet concerts, exhibitions of Tibetan art and culture and meditation sessions with Tibetan lamas. A peaceful demonstration in support of Tibetan independence was held outside the Chinese Embassy in Prague on Tuesday evening.