4,000 march in Brussels for an independent Tibet

On Sunday, some 4,000 people turned up in Brussels to protest against what they call the Chinese occupation of Tibet. "What we want? We want freedom," was the slogan of the colourful protest. Tibet is a member of the Chinese People's Republic , but many Tibetans have been fighting for independence under the leadership of the Dalai Lama for years. The protesters came to Brussels from various European countries to demand the return of full autonomy for Tibet under the Dalai Lama, respect for human rights and religious freedom in the country. "China has occupied Tibet for 54 years," says Inge Hermans, chairman of the organisation Friends of Tibet. "And the Tibetans are increasingly a minority in their own country. The occupation is slowly destroying the Tibetan culture and religion."