Dear friends and supporters:
Many of us never imagined that in our lifetime, we would witness some of the rare events in the history of mankind — a pandemic that has no origin anywhere and the invasion of sovereign states resulting in the displacing and killing of innocent people. Even while you read this message, the notoriously named "Z" troops belonging to the Russian Federation are marching towards peaceful towns and villages like 'confused children', as perfectly described by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The unprovoked invasion of Ukraine which began on February 24, 2022, is no different from the Chinese invasion of independent Tibet back in 1949 which resulted in the killing of about a million native Tibetans and the fleeing of His Holiness the Dalai Lama followed by thousands of ordinary Tibetans into exile. The world silently witnessed the invasion of Tibet. The very same world is now witnessing the invasion of a peaceful, democratic Ukraine.

Friends of Tibet has a history of working closely with communities in conflict regions. Today, we stand with the world in support of Ukraine and its struggle for freedom from the imperial forces whose foundation is based only on hatred, aggression and expansionism. The reckless act of Russian aggression on Ukraine and the reckless aggression of the Chinese forces in occupied Tibet should stop immediately. While condemning the invading powers, we thank the courageous Russian and Chinese people that stood firmly with the victims of both regions. Collectively, we have to share the responsibility of supporting these communities — inside and in exile — before the situation escalates radically. Let us stand in solidarity with the suffering people of both Ukraine and occupied Tibet and support their resistance movement.

While our organisation is completing 23 years of its activities for a free and independent Tibet today, one man's imperial ambitions are giving birth to a major humanitarian crisis in Ukraine which will have a ripple effect not only in Europe but all across the world in the days to come. Yes, we have no reason to celebrate invasions!

Love and freedom,
Sethu Das
(Founder, Friends of Tibet)

"It is not those who can inflict the most, but those who can suffer the most who will conquer" — Terence MacSwiney (Irish Patriot, Author and Playwright)