Tibetan Uprising

BBC
April 6, 20008

Thirty-seven arrests have been made after clashes between pro-Tibet protesters and police as the Olympic torch made its way through London.

Protests over China’s human rights record began soon after the relay began at Wembley, and prompted an increasing police presence through the city.

One protester tried to snatch the torch from former Blue Peter host Konnie Huq. (more…)

When China’s Torch Comes to India on April 17th - Speak out for Tibet.

We, the undersigned Tibetan individuals and organizations, appeal to all Indian citizens and, in particular, those people chosen to be Olympic torch-bearers, to speak out for the Tibetan people when China’s Torch comes to India on April 17th. At this critical moment, when countless Tibetans are suffering under a violent military crackdown by the Chinese government, we need to show that global citizens support the Tibetan people’s right to be free and to live their lives as they see fit.

The courageous actions taken by Tibetans inside Tibet over the past few weeks demonstrate that Tibetans have suffered unimaginably under a half century of Chinese rule. They are now risking everything and crying out for freedom. By speaking out when the Chinese government brings the Olympic Torch to India you will send a strong message to Tibetans, to the Chinese government, and to the world, that Indians support the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people’s nonviolent struggle for freedom and justice.

There are so many ways for everyone to take action.

Torch-bearers can:
- withdraw from the relay;
- wear a Free Tibet shirt or hold the Tibetan flag as they run with the torch;
- issue a statement in support of the Tibetan people before the Relay.

Indian citizens can:
- join or organize a protest as the Torch passes through Delhi;
- wear a Free Tibet shirt or hold a Tibetan flag as the Torch passes by;
- plan a solidarity action in your town or city on April 17th.

As the Chinese government runs the Olympic torch around the world and attempts to whitewash its human rights violations and legitimize its illegal occupation of Tibet, tens of thousands of Tibetans and supporters will be speaking out to expose China’s lies. Please join this global chorus of voices calling for justice for Tibet!

Issued in New Delhi on March 31, 2008

B. Tsering, President, Tibetan Women’s Association
Ngawang Woeber, President, GuChuSum Ex-Political Prisoners Movement of Tibet
Chime Youndung, President, National Democratic Party of Tibet
Tenzin Choeying, President, Students for a Free Tibet India

Tibetans in New Delhi joined the Global Day of Action for Tibet with a day long action including protests, street theatre depicting the Chinese crackdown in Tibet, the burning of Chinese goods, and a candlelight vigil. The actions were co-ordinated by the Delhi Chapter of the Tibetan Solidarity Committee and joined by the India Tibet Friendship Society and a group of Burmese activists joined the protest for the day to show their solidarity to the Tibetans.

Among the supporters to address the public were Naval Kishore (former member of Indian Parliament from RJD), Prof. Anand Kumar (General Secretary, ITFS), Dr. N.K.Trikha (Chairman, Core Group For Tibetan Cause), Smt. Kalindi Roy (Women’s Activists), Shri Govind Yadav (Secretary, Yuva Janta Dal United), Dr. Ranjana Kumari (Director, Center for Social Research) and Shri Sudhindra Bhadoria (Eminent Social worker), Dr. Tint Swe (Member of Burmese Parliament) and Dr. Venuh (Nagaland People’s Movement for Human Rights).

At 2:00 pm, 100 boxes that represent the 1.5 million signatories calling China to hold talks with the Dalai Lama was displayed by the Tibetan Women’s Association, GuChuSum, the National Democratic Party of Tibet and Students for a Free Tibet India. The group also presented an open Appeal to the Indian Citizens to Speak out for Tibet when the Torch comes to Delhi on April 17. Mr. Rajiv Vohra, a Gandhian and Director of Non-Violence Peace Force Asia, Delhi, joined this action.

The Tibetan Solidarity Committee presented a memorandum to the United Nations Office in New Delhi which was duly received. In the evening, members of the Tibetan Solidarity Committee managed to reach the Chinese Embassy gates to submit a copy of the memorandum and the Avaaz petition boxes. The Chinese Embassy did not accept the memorandum or the Avaaz petition boxes, but both found their way to the closest barrack of the Chinese Embassy. The memorandum was handed over to the diplomatic security personnel.

March 30, 2008

Contact:
B. Tsering, President, Tibetan Women’s Association +91 9418 792 810
Tenzin Choeying, National Director, Students for a Free Tibet India, +91 9816 368 335
Tsering Choedup, South-East Asia Coordinator, International Tibet Support Network +91 9819418221605
Youdon Aukutsang, Tibetan Member of Parliament & Tibetan Solidarity Committee Delhi Chapter, +91 9999915061

WORLDWIDE PROTESTS PLANNED TO COINCIDE WITH OLYMPIC TORCH ARRIVAL IN BEIJING
Million person online petition calls for China to talk to Dalai Lama

New Delhi – Tibetans and Indian supporters in New Delhi will participate in a Global Day of Action for Tibet on March 31st, when the Olympic Torch is set to arrive in Beijing. Along with protests, vigils, and prayer ceremonies intended to highlight the suffering of the Tibetan people under China’s current crackdown, the world’s fastest-growing online petition– calling for China to hold talks with the Dalai Lama–will be presented to Chinese government representatives and decision-makers in more than 80 cities in 27 countries. Tibetans in exile and Tibet supporters are calling for all Tibetan areas to be withdrawn from the Torch Relay. (more…)