TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan (HRNTT), a coalition of NGOs based in Taiwan, on Wednesday (Feb. 10) launched the annual Cycling for a Free Tibet event to raise awareness of Beijing's human rights violations in the autonomous region.

During a press conference held outside the Legislative Yuan, HRNTT President Tashi Tsering (札西慈仁), independent legislator Freddy Lim (林昶佐), and Democratic Progressive Party legislator Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) expressed hope that both the coronavirus and the ill-treatment of Tibetans can end soon. They also said they hope for a visit by the Dalai Lama following the pandemic.

With Feb. 10 marking the 62nd anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day, a dozen Taiwanese bicyclists took to the streets of Taipei early Wednesday morning, traveling from 228 Peace Memorial Park to Taipei 101. Each of them carried a Tibetan flag and shouted "Free Tibet," reported CNA.

The cyclists will go on weekly rides every Wednesday (Feb. 17, Feb. 24, and March 3) leading up to Tibetan Uprising Day on March 10. Meanwhile, the annual March for a Free Tibet will start near Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT Station at 2 p.m. on March 7. A demonstration is also scheduled for 7 p.m. on March 10 at Liberty Square.

For more information about the events, visit the HRNTT Facebook page.

Cyclists gather in Taipei Wednesday to raise awareness of human rights violations in Tibet. (CNA photo)