Tibetan Uprising

Tibetans and supporters vow to continue fight against China’s injustice

Contact:
Chime Youngdung: +91 9418 069 179
Tenzin Choeying: +91 9816 368 335

24 August 2008

Dharamshala: On the final day of the Beijing Olympics, hundreds of Tibetans and supporters in Dharamshala joined protesters across the world to voice their opposition to China’s continuous violence against the Tibetans inside Tibet. Adhe Tapontsang (Ama Adhe), a former political prisoner who spent a total of 27 years in Chinese labor camps since her arrest in 1958, was the Chief Guest at the function before the protest. Rigzin Choenyi and Lhundup Sangmo, two of the famous Drapchi 14 who’ve spent 12 and 9 years respectively in Chinese prison gave their testimony to the gathering.

“We urge the international community, and especially members of the media, not to divert their attention from China after the Beijing Olympics, as the Chinese authorities are likely to intensify their hostility towards Tibetans post-Olympics” said Tenzin Choeying, National Director of Students for a Free Tibet - India. “Tibetans and supporters all over the world are deeply concerned about the thousands of Tibetans who have been arrested and ‘disappeared’ since March this year, and we request governments around the world to pressurize China to release all political prisoners,” he continued.

The Chinese authorities have tried to suppress all dissenting voices during the Olympic Games, but with protests in Beijing and around the world, Tibetans and their supporters have consistently and effectively challenged Beijing’s propaganda.

“Tibetans and supporters around the world have been able to undermine China’s attempt to gain global acceptance. With their harsh treatment of protesters and foreign media in Beijing, the Chinese authorities have shown their true face to the rest of the world.” said Chime Youngdung, President of National Democratic Party of Tibet. “The end of the Beijing Olympics has given rise to a much bigger movement for the Tibetan People. We will continue our fight against injustices towards Tibetans inside Tibet,” he continued.

The Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement aims to revive the spirit of the Tibetan national uprising of 1959, and by engaging in non-violent direct action, bring about an end to China’s illegal occupation of Tibet.