DHARAMSHALA, May 11: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama is scheduled to address a mass solidarity rally for Tibet in Vienna, Austria on May 26.

According to organisers, over 10,000 people are expected to attend the Europe-wide solidarity rally.

Jointly organised by a group of Tibetan communities in the continent, the European Tibet Solidarity Rally will also be addressed by the elected Tibetan political leader Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay.

“In view of the escalating situation inside Tibet, Tibetan and support groups in Europe are organising a solidarity rally in Vienna in the afternoon of Saturday, May 26, 2012,” organisers said in a release.

“Kalon Tripa Lobsang Sangay has agreed to address the rally on behalf of the Central Tibetan Administration. We are extremely honoured that His Holiness the Dalai Lama will bless the rally with his presence.”

Organisers have said that the solidarity rally will urge Governments of the Member States of the European Union to jointly express “strong concern” to the Chinese government at their “highest political levels” over their “repressive” policies in Tibet, to increase pressure on China to agree to a “high level EU delegation visit” to Tibetan areas, and to appoint a “EU Special Coordinator” for Tibetan issues.

“Our message of this Solidarity Rally is for the Tibetans in Tibet and will be simple: We won’t forget you in these difficult times – we are with you! Let us voice our concern about the overall situation in Tibet and mobilize people to share their concerns and ask our governments to act on the tragic situation: TIBET NEEDS YOU. NOW!”

The fiery wave of self-immolation protests in Tibet has witnessed 35 Tibetans torch their bodies demanding freedom in Tibet and the return of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. Mass protests in recent months have been violently suppressed following a call for “war” on peaceful protests by senior Chinese leaders.

The organisers of the rally are also encouraging people to sign a petition urging their governments to stand up for justice in Tibet.