Appeals to Tibetans to forgo Tibetan New Year celebrations to show our solidarity with our brethrens inside Tibet.
Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), at the onset expresses its solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Tibet who for the past fifty years have suffered and valiantly endured the torment of separation from their most beloved leader and government.

China began its invasion of Tibet in 1949 and a decade later Tibet was completely occupied by the communist forces, leading to the agonizing partition of the Tibetan people. Since then our brethrens in Tibet have suffered under China's oppressive regime where the fear of one's life and security is clear and present at all times. Yet in these most difficult times our brethrens have steadfastly upheld the truth of our history in its most pristine form and committed in securing the future of our nation by standing firm in our rightful fight for independence. Being in the vanguard of our struggle to reinstate our nationhood, tens of thousands of Tibetans have sacrificed their precious lives and attained martyrdom.

Furthermore, the year 2008 saw the glorious, peaceful and widespread uprising of Tibetans from the entire Tibetan plateau against China's occupation and oppression—unified equally in our hardships and our pursuit of happiness. In doing so, our brethrens unequivocally presented the case of Tibet's sovereignty to the world and the genuine aspiration of the Tibetan people to free themselves from the shackles of colonialism. China responded to the huge embarrassment that it faced internationally by clamping down hard on the peaceful Tibetans with lethal design and brutal force killing hundreds of innocent Tibetans and imprisoning thousands more. The blood stained dawn of the 21st century still remains a dark shadow of the 20th century for Tibet as the Chinese government illicitly persists with its policies of genocide and ethnic assimilation of the Tibetan people. The crisis situation in Tibet—shrouded with massacre, torture and repression since March 10th, 2008 and which continues to this day, reminds us of the horrifying blunders and miserable conditions the prevailed during the Cultural Revolution when all of Tibet resounded with cries of widows and orphans.

So as to recognize and honor the sacrifices of our martyrs and to express our solidarity with the brave men and women of Tibet who continue to withstand unimaginable hardships to uphold the sovereignty of our nation, the identity of our people and for the truth to prevail, TYC declares that it will not celebrate the Tibetan new year of 2136 Earth Ox year corresponding to 2009. As the year 2009 also marks 60 years of China's invasion and 50 years of China's occupation of Tibet, TYC declares the year 2009 as Black Year and shall organize the following campaigns:

1. On the 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan year 2135 Earth Rat year, as it is a customary to throw luu, TYC shall instead throw two huge effigies of Mao Tsetung and Hu Jintao. TYC appeals to all the Tibetans participating in this campaign to bring effigies of Mao Tsetung and Hi Jintuao instead of the luu.

2. On the 30th day of Namghang TYC shall organize a signature campaign in regard with the Tibetan struggle addressed to the United Nations and the European Union.

3. At 9:30 am on the first day of the Tibetan new year of 2136 Earth Ox year (February 25, 2009) TYC shall organize a three day long hunger strike. 50 people will lead their support by fasting for three whole days. TYC appeals to all the Tibetans to light butter lamps and candles outside their homes on the evening of the Tibetan new year as a mark of homage.

4. At 9:30 am on the second day of the Tibetan new year TYC shall organize a massive peace march from the memorial statue of Pawo Thupten Ngodup at Lha-gye-ri to Kacheri at Lower Dharamshala in honor of the martyr of Tibet.

5. On the 3rd day of the Tibetan new year TYC shall organize a prayer meeting at Tsug la Khang to pray for the souls of those brave Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives for the independence of Tibet

A circular to this effect will be sent to all the regional chapters of TYC provided with directions to carry out the mentioned activities all over the world.

In recognition of the historical truth of Tibet's independence and the ultimate aspiration of the Tibetan people, through this campaign TYC calls upon China to end the illegal occupation of Tibet and to immediately release all the political prisoners of Tibet currently languishing in Chinese gulags. TYC also appeals to the world community at large, the UN, the EU, respective governments and individuals to lend their invaluable support so as to bring forth constructive developments in the Tibetan struggle.

Even after 60 years of China's repressive regime—the undying courage, the indomitable spirit and bravery of the Tibetan people has kept the Tibetan struggle alive and succeeded in lessening the distance between Tibetans inside and outside Tibet.

At this crucial juncture, the fierce urgency of the time implores us Tibetans to be ever more united, ever more clear sighted, ever more dedicated and ready ever more to tread the path of sacrifices on our road to independence.

Issued by: The Central Executive Committee of the Tibetan Youth Congress