Tibet
Today:
The Solidarity actions around the world in the support of present crisis in Tibet. Date: April 30, 2008 Nepal – 63 Tibetans replaced the previous group. 14 of them were above the age of 60 years. TSC Press Release was read by Chithue Yungdrung Gyaltsen la to both outgoing and incoming hunger strikers. 49th Day – Global Action: Shabrim recital for April 28, 2008 Arrests: It is reported that 120 Tibetans were arrested this afternoon outside Chinese Visa Section at Hattisar. All 120 have been detained at Maharajganj Police hospital, at No.2 Guntu. These 120 will not be released until tomorrow. Arrangements for blankets and food have been made by concerned NTSF special task forces.
Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia – ACTIVITIES SINCE 15 MARCH to 20 APRIL 2008 15th March: Tibetan Community, Sydney Members of Community assembled at the Chinese Consulate in Sydney to register their strong protest at the killing of peaceful protestors in Tibet since 14th March. The protest was very powerful. Due to some misunderstanding with police detective in civilian clothes, four of protesters were detained and one of them was charged of "fighting" with a police detective. The Tibetan Community issued a public apology for this unfortunate incident. 16th March: Tibetan Community, Melbourne Tibetan Community organized special prayers for those Tibetans who died under the brutal killing under Chinese and to those Tibetans who are still suffering under the occupation of Tibet. A peaceful protest was organized in front of the Chinese Consulate demanding stop killings in Tibet, etc. 17th March: Tibetan Community, Canberra Tibetan Community of Canberra and other supporters staged a peaceful protest in front of the Chinese Embassy demanding immediate release of Tibetans arrested in Tibet. During the protest, the demonstrators appealed the Australian Government to take stronger stance on Tibet and for China to stop brutal killings in Tibet. A demand to send a Fact Finding delegation to Tibet was also made. Indonesian Society for a Free Tibet Formed in Jakarta-Indonesia With active support from the Roof of the World Foundation (Tibet Support Group), I was able to brief few NGO's in Jakarta about the latest situation in Tibet. Most of the NGO leaders are young and broadminded. As a result, they decided to form The Indonesian Society for a Free Tibet and decided to do their first demonstration on 19 March 2008 in front of the Chinese Embassy and other activities in future for Tibet. Australian Senate passed a Resolution on Tibet which calls upon "parties to make every effort to continue the dialogue; and reiterates its concern over the reports of continuing human rights violations in Tibet, including torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, and repression of religious freedom 'patriotic re-education' including forcing Tibetans to denounce the Dalai Lama, arbitrary restrictions on free movement, rehabilitation through labor camps and coercive resettlement." All the Political Parties of Australia supported it. Our Office requested Senator Bob Brown to initiate the resolution since Parliament is in session. Prime Minister Helen Clark initiated a resolution on Tibet which was passed. It Students for a Free Tibet held a protest during lunchtime at the University of Otago Union lawn. There were around 150 people lying down to represent the estimated death toll at that early stage in events, each with the sign "ONE DEAD TIBETAN" held to their chest. They staged this demonstration so that the death toll could become more tangible and real to the general public, so that people could see that one cannot just look the other way when hearing about one hundred people have been killed. Speeches were given by the campus Amnesty International representative. The focus for this protest was that the foreign media be let back into Tibet with unfettered access so that the truth of the situation could be figured out, a simple request that still has not yet been fulfilled. A peaceful protest was organized in front of the Chinese Consulate from 11 am till 1pm. The guest speakers were, Rev. Bill Crews of Exodus Foundation, Mr. Chin Jin from the Federation fro a Democratic China- Australia Division, Prof. Yuan Hongbing, President of Chinese Liberal Culture Movement, Ms. Zoe Bedford, Director of Australian Tibetan Council. Mr. Tenpa Dugdak, Campaign Co-ordinator of Sydney Tibetan Community gave a detailed account of 50 years of Chinese misrule in Tibet. Apart from over 100 Tibetans, there were about 40 supporters from Tibet support groups and Dharma Centres including few Chinese. Same evening, a Candle light vigil was organized from 5:00 pm till 7 pm at Martin Place. There was a huge crowd of Tibetans, other supporters and even office goers joined the vigil. The guest speakers at the Vigil were Rev. Bill Crews, Tenpa Dugdak, Zoe Bedford and a member from the Greens Party. 19th March: Stand Up for Tibet- Campaign for Tibet: We encouraged "Get Up" one of the largest NGO based in Australia to support Tibet at this critical hour. They kindly accepted our request and started an on line letter writing with Australian Tibet Council to support the aspirations of the Tibetan people especially in urging the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to play a positive role to solve the issue of Tibet. The letter in part read as: It has a membership of 250,000, already 56,367 has signed the letter. I also posted a Message, appealing for Australian support in their web site which was well received and responded. Please visit their website at www.getup.org.au. Tibetan Community, Brisbane The Tibetan Community of Queensland together with three monks from Tashi Lhunpo monastery from India gathered at City Hall in Brisbane for a peaceful prayer vigil. The monks chanted prayers and approximately 160 Australian supporters and local Tibetans joined. There was a strong media presence including TV news channels, newspapers, and freelance photographers shooting footage and taking photographs - covering the mass energy that was generated by so many people. The media shown special interest when the press release from His Holiness the Dalai Lama was read out by a member of the local community. Indonesian Society for a Free Tibet, Jakarta, Indonesia Perhaps, this is the first time a demonstration for Tibet has been held in front of the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta. In a Press Release, The Indonesian Society for a Free Tibet condemns the brutal repression of the Tibetan peoples by the PRC. They demanded: The United High Commission for Human Rights and other Human Rights organizations to conduct an investigation of the events in Tibet. The PRC to stop their brutal treatment of the Tibetans and allow foreign journalists back into Tibet. According to a poll, 54% of the Indonesians are critical of the Chinese policies towards Tibet. Friends of Tibet, Auckland, New Zealand Friends of Tibet (FOT) organized a candle light vigil at Aotea Square from 5:30 PM in response to the Chinese crackdown in Tibet. This was well attended by about 200 people. Candles were lit before a minute's silence. Led by resident Tibetan Geshes, they sang Tibetan National anthem and recited prayers for the well-being of people of Tibet. They were joined by the Gyuto monks, who had just arrived from Australia for a teaching tour of New Zealand. Their deep voices gave added volume, which was greatly appreciated. Thupten explained the current situation inside Tibet and then invited the spokesperson from Amnesty International, who highlighted their work on the Human Right issue and also spoke about the Tibetan political prisoners, whom Amnesty has a list and been asking the Chinese government to release. They made impromptu walk down Queen Street at the end of the vigil. The event was covered by both TV1 and TV3 that night. Friends of Tibet Wellington, Tibetan Solidarity Network, Amnesty International, and the Green Party organized candlelight vigil at Parliament which was broadcast live from Parliament by TV1 and TV3. Besides TV, it also received wide media coverage in newspaper and radio. More than 300 people gathered on parliament grounds. Wellington Friends of Tibet spokesperson Claire Clark read His Holiness the Dalai Lama's message. Mr. Karma Tenzin, who traveled from Christchurch to attend the vigil, spoke from his heart about his 6 years of imprisonment in Tibet by the Chinese, which captivated those gathered. One of his uncles was shot dead by the Chinese military. His grandfather was imprisoned for 22 years and tortured. The Tibetan community and members of Friends of Tibet held a vigil at Cathedral Square to focus attention on the brutality of the Chinese regime on Tibetans holding peaceful demonstrations in Tibet. I along with Mr. Paul Bourke, Executive Officer of Australian Tibet Council appeared before the Sub-Committee on Human Right of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the Federal Parliament. We briefed them on the unprecedented Uprisings within Tibet and earnestly requested to put pressure on Australian Government to send fact finding missions. We also requested: It was decided that Senator Bob Brown will approach the Chinese Embassy on behalf of the Group to visit Tibet for a Fact Finding Mission. A prayer vigil was held at city Library to highlight the Chinese atrocities in Tibet. About 60 people joined it. An Emergency meeting of the Tibetans was held and they were informed about the establishment of the Tibetan Solidarity Committee in Dharamsala. The direction from the committee was read to them and they decided do their part at this critical juncture of Tibetan history. Tibetan Community in Sydney organized Guru Puja Tibetan Community, Vajrayana Institute and Freedom4Tibet organized a Guru Puja for those Tibetans killed in Tibet by the Chinese forces. Geshe Dawa la & Geshe Choden la led the tsok prayers for 2 hours from 7- 9 pm. The names of the 17 Tibetans killed were read one by one to the highly emotional crowd. Around 100 people participated in this puja. Many were sitting in the foyer due to lack of space inside the main prayer hall. The Tibetans in Auckland organized a protest outside the Chinese consulate in Green Lane, where about 100 people, including Friends of Tibet members gathered to express their concern of the treatment of the Tibetans in Tibet by the Chinese forces. Three Chinese students stood across the road with Chinese flags, and to their challenge, one Tibetan stood behind them holding Tibetan flag above it. Our people downloaded graphic photos of Tibetans who were shot and killed during the current protest in Tibet and made them into placards. The vision chilled down the spine. The protest was covered by TV 1 that night. Tenzin led a Two Day Vigil outside the Chinese Embassy on March 20 and March 21. Throughout he was supported by a fellow Tibetan and over the two days they were joined by other members of Friends of Tibet and passer by who brought them food and helped hold placards. Sydney Tibetan Solidarity Action Committee A general community meeting was called at Dee Why to seek members' suggestions and advises on how best the Community can continue to carry on our struggle in a more forceful and organized manner. Many members volunteered to spend their time in organizing and execution of further peaceful protests and events. The Executive Committee decided to form Sydney Tibetan Solidarity Committee. Mr. Tenpa Dugdak has been appointed as the Chief Coordinator of this Committee and it consists of 9 volunteer members. 23rd March: Tibetan Community, Sydney During day time on this day, about 10 youths of Sydney Community voluntarily went to the Central Business District area to distribute pamphlets calling for the end to killing of Tibetans in Tibet. They also wrote slogans on the main streets and at the Chinese Consulate. Police advised them to stop or be detained. Tibetan Community & Australian Supporters in Melbourne The Tibetan Community of Victoria organized a peace march for Tibet from Victorian Parliament to the Chinese consulate. The Tibetan Community and their Australian friends walked in protest against the Tibetan people who have been killed, tortured and suppressed in Tibet by the Communist regime in Beijing, simply because the Tibetans expressed their desire for cultural and religious freedom. The peaceful march was joined by around 200 Tibetans, monks, nuns and Tibetan supporters. The protesters appealed to the Australian Government & International bodies to send a fact finding delegation to find out what exactly is happening in Tibet. They also appealed for medical aid for the Tibetan people who are injured, wounded and dying as the Tibetans have no access to medical care unless they surrender themselves to the brutal Chinese regime. 25th -31st March: Tibetan Community in Melbourne A daily two hours prayer vigil was held for one week and a message from His Holiness and Kashag to the Chinese were widely distributed. Tibetan Community in Canberra started weekly candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese Embassy in Canberra every Wednesday. Prayers are recited according to the directions of Kashag. 28th March: Protest at the Chinese Embassy, Canberra Around 100 Tibetans from Sydney and Tibetan Community members in Canberra held a protest rally in front of Chinese Embassy. Mr. Dhondup Chophel, Secretary of the Tibetan Community of Australia (NSW) Inc. introduced the protest and called on Mr. Hu Jintao and Wen Ja Bioa to put to the international community their claim of evidence that H.H. The Dalai Lama orchestrated the recent protests in Tibet and Tibetan areas. I also addressed the protest and demanded to stop crackdown, repression, release prisoners, etc., This is the first time, a Representative of H.H. the Dalai Lama addressed the protest in front of Chinese Embassy in Australia. Posters of recently killed Tibetans were worn by almost every protester. One member tried to cross the Police protection line and was taken into custody to be released after hours. Around 1.15 pm, the protesters walked with full Police escort to the foreground of Federal Parliament for a peaceful prayer session. Ven. Tenzin Chopak la led the prayers. Led by Geshe Sonam Dhargyal, Tibetan monks and nuns, Western Sangha, and Tibetan Youths of Melbourne, Tibetan community members and Tibet supporters did a day's fasting protest at the Melbourne play ground. They distributed leaflet on the current situation in Tibet and appealed for the International, public and Australian government support for Tibet. Western Australia (Perth) Sydney, Australia This event was organized by ATC nationwide in Australia with support and presence of large number of Tibetan Community members and other Tibet Supports as well as Dharma Friends. This program started at Martin place at 12 am and ended at 2.00 pm. Global Day of Action was held at Parliament House. Despite heavy rain, more than 50 people assembled to hear the message at the political heart of Perths elected leaders. The message was aimed at the Prime Minister Mr Rudd, who will meet with the Chinese government from the 9th to the 12th of April. The message was that Mr Rudd should bring up the issue of Human rights in China and especially Tibet, and in doing so meet growing public concern about the Tibetan situation existing currently and in wake of the coming Olympics. Again at this rally a public address made by the Dalai Lama was presented by one of the organizers. Amongst the speakers who addressed the crowd at Parliament House was 12 year old Amelia McLaughlin-Jones, whose speech was interrupted by spontaneous public applause when she opened by saying that in her opinion, "…all children throughout the world should have the right to grow up in a peaceful and free society … including children in China and Tibet". Auckland, New Zealand On this day, Friends of Tibet (NZ) Auckland Branch organized a peace march down Queen Street to Queen Elizabeth Square. About 300-400 members and friends of Tibet gathered at Aotea Square with flags and banners, and walked down the pavement in Queen Street chanting "Free Tibet" and "China talk to the Dalai Lama". The monks were at the front with a large banner that reads "China negotiate or leave Tibet". Green Party MP Keith Locke and Thuten controlled the pedestrian crossings for the group. Members distributed 600 leaflets giving facts and figures about the current situation in Tibet and where to go for more information etc. At the Queen Elizabeth Square, the Tibetan Buddhist Teachers lead a short prayer for the Tibetans who are suffering in Tibet followed by a minute's silence of mourn. Students for a Free Tibet and Friends of Tibet joined in on the Global day of Action by staging another protest at the University of Otago Union Lawn at lunchtime. Members of the Dunedin Tibetan Community were gagged and handcuffed to represent the hundreds of Tibetans who had been unjustly imprisoned after the recent peaceful protests. Speeches were made. Around 80 people joined in a peace march from the Union Lawn to the Octagon. A second protest was staged in the Octagon with speeches. At both protests, they made a petition to the Prime Minister Helen Clark to condemn the human rights abuses in Tibet and to ask her at what cost would a Free Trade agreement with China be coming. Tibetan Community and Australian Tibet Council and Tibetan Women's Association of Australia jointly observed Global Day of Action for Tibet. Prominent speakers condemned the Chinese actions in Tibet and called for a dialogue with His Holiness to solve the issue of Tibet. Global Day of Action in front of the Chinese Embassy by Indonesian Solidarity for Tasmanians has joined in a series of rallies being held across the country, calling for an end to violence in Tibet. About 100 people have turned out at Franklin Square for the Global Day of Action for Tibet. The Australian Tibet Council, which has organised the rallies, urged China to keep the Olympic torch out of Tibet. A message from Kalon Tripa was read out by Dr. Anna Alomes to the gathering. 1st April: I went to Darwin to see the President of East Timor-Leste, Dr. Jose Ramos Horta with a Message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama to appeal him to issue a strong message of support for Tibet. The President readily agreed to issue his statement in end of April after his return to East Timor. I also conveyed His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Kashag's concern and prayers for his health. The President was deeply touched. A briefing paper on Tibet was presented him on the latest situation in Tibet. 2nd April: Tibetan Dharma Caters holds Candle Light Vigil in Sydney A Candle Light Vigil was organized at the Chinese Consulate in Camperdown. 80 Tibetans and over 30 Dharma Centre supporters gathered for this vigil. The purpose of the vigil was to show solidarity with our people in Tibet and also to mourn the death of over 100 Tibetan freedom fighters in Tibet. Everyone was focused on their prayers. Posters of various slogans were carried by each and every vigil participants. The vigil ended at 8.30 PM. 5th April: A Rally for Tibet organized by Wellington Friends of Tibet and the Tibetan Solidarity Network Wellington, in association with the local Amnesty International. Student group on April 5 was a huge success. Despite heavy rain, more than 100 Wellingtonians concerned about the current situation in Tibet gathered in Frank Kitts Park. MPs Keith Locke and Peter Dunne, along with Claire Clark of Friends of Tibet, and representatives of the Tibetan Solidarity Network Wellington and the Local Buddhist community addressed the gathering attended by TV3 and the Sunday Stars Times. Meeting of Tibetan Presidents in Canberra Tibet Information Office called the meeting of the Presidents of Tibetan Communities in Australia and New Zealand to Canberra. During the meeting we thoroughly briefed them about the directions coming from Tibetan Solidarity Committee and how it is timely to act for Tibet. They must give timely info to the Tibetan community members and advised them strongly to get involved and give full cooperation to the activities of Tibet Support Groups and Dharma Centres. We also discussed future activities in Australia by different Communities. The Presidents from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra were able to attend it. An Emergency Committee under the Representative was formed. 6th April: World Prayer Day in Melbourne According to directions from Tibetan Solidarity Movement, a World Prayer Day dedicated to all the victims of brutal Chinese crackdown in Tibet was held at Tara Institute from 8.30 am to 4pm. The prayer was headed by Geshe Doga. World Prayer Day in Canberra Similarly, a World Prayer Day was held in Tibet Information Office by the Tibetan Community. It was led by Ven. Tenzin Choepak. 7th April: Initiated Galaxy Poll for Tibet in Australia On the eve of Australian Prime Ministers visit to China, a GetUp poll conducted by Galaxy Research has found the overwhelming majority of Australians (71%) are favour of Prime Minister Keving Rudd using his stand with the Chinese Government to attempt to broker a lasting solution to the Tibet issue. Australians believes that Mr Rudd is the best placed world leader to stand up for Tibet and the Australian community are rising to meet that opportunity by sending him to Beijing with an unflinching mandate to boldly do so. This poll was conducted at the request of GetUp. Meeting with Department of Foreign and Trade Officials We had a meeting with our contacts in Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and requested Prime Minister to take a bold stand on Tibet while in Beijing as he did in US and Britain. Also brief them of the latest situation in Tibet and requested the Prime Minister to prevail upon China to stop immediately brutal crack down in Tibet, release prisoners and send fact finding mission from Australia to Tibet including independent media. A request was also made to give directions to Australian Ambassador in Geneva to support the initiative of our Geneva Office. 9th April: Sydney Multi-faith Prayer and Candle Light Vigil At the request of Tibet Information Office, an evening of peaceful prayers and candlelight vigil organised by FPMTA Ltd (17 centres) and Ashfield Parish Mission from 6 – 9 pm at Amphitheatre, Martin Place. The event was supported by Tibetan Community, Amnesty International, ATC, FPMT Ltd, and Exodus Foundation. Guest speakers from Tibet Information Office, Tibetan Community, ATC, Amnesty International, Exodus Foundation, Eastern Turkistan Australian Association, Federation of a Democratic China Australia, The Vietnamese Community of NSW and Darfur Australian Network spoke highly of H.H. The Dalai Lama's initiative of non-violent approach towards achieving a meaningful autonomy for Tibet and Tibetan people's right to self rule. This was followed by prayers from the different traditions and the event ended with lighting of candles for the people that have and will die and suffer in Tibet, and around the world. This was done on the eve of month Uprising in Tibet. 20th April: A Day of Mourning in Melbourne Tibetan Community and Tibet supporters observed A Day of Mourning & Protest at the Chinese Consulate General Office. In memory of the 154 Tibetans killed and the thousands injured or penalized in the recent Chinese government crackdown, 15 Tibetan men and women shaved their heads. The day was also to demonstrate our support for the Tibetan freedom fighters in and outside of Tibet, and to tell the People's Republic of China that we will never give up until the fundamental rights of Tibetan people are restored. The special guest speaker was the His Holiness Dalai Lama's Representative in Australia, Mr. Tenzin Phuntsok Atisha. The event was well covered in the evening national TV news. Daily Activities of Tibet Information Office The office web site www.tibetoffice.com.au is updated hourly/daily and is one of the most active webs on Tibet in this part of the world. His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Statements to Tibetans were circulated to Tibetan Communities and Tibetan Dharma centres. His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Message to Chinese people was sent to all the Chinese groups, journalists and Chinese to whom we have contacts, Tibet Support Groups, Dharma centres and media. Photocopies of the Message were widely circulated during the prayer vigil and protests. The same is true of Kashag's appeals. Since formation of Tibetan Solidarity Committee in Dharamsala and after getting directions from DIIR and also listening from Kalon Tripa from the Radio: Voice of Tibet, our office has been sending daily Updates and appeals from the Committee, appeals from Khashag and instructions, to all the Presidents of Tibetan Communities and Dharma centres, Tibet Support Groups in Australia and New Zealand. We also maintain all most daily contacts with Tibet Support Groups. Media Contacts and Coverage in Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia 13-23 April Kalon Chope Paljor Tsering's Visit to Australia Under the direction of DIIR, Kalon Chope Paljor Tsering visited Australia to brief on the emergency situation on Tibet and appeal to appropriate authorities to assist Tibet at this crucial period. Given the short notice, we were only able to arrange an appointment with Foreign Ministry, Shadow Foreign Minister Andy Robb, the Chairman and member of All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet's, the Leader of Green Party of Australia Senator Bob Brown and other parliamentary member. Two highly important meetings with Think Tanks in Sydney and Melbourne, two Tibet Support Groups meetings in Sydney and Melbourne were held with help of Australian Tibet Council (where Kalon received standing ovation after the speech), and three briefings and appeals to the Tibetan Communities of Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne and briefing to Tibetan Women's Association of Australia. Appendix ON RECORD Australia Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Tibet in Beijing and After 9th April, Beijing University The current situation in Tibet is of concern to Australians. We recognise the need for all parties to avoid violence and find a solution through dialogue. As a long-standing friend of China I intend to have a straightforward discussion with Chinas leaders on this. 12th April: on ABC Radio Interview UHLMANN: Do you think that China is listening to anybody on Tibet? PM: Well China has got a very tough line on Tibet. I have spent a lot of time this evening on the question of Tibet. I have spent a lot of time in recent days on the question of Tibet in private discussions and you have seen my public remarks as well. My job is to argue strongly the case for a negotiation and for the non-use of violence. But no one is pretending this is easy. I am not. But I continue to argue the case. UHLMANN: Is there a possibility that China might dig its heels in on Tibet, if there is too much pressure from the international community that it is interfering in Chinas affairs? PM: Well China will always say that. But that shouldn't prevent us from raising a strong view when we have one. And I think the Western community of nations has a strong view on this and they have been raising it. How China will react and what happens internally over time, between now and the Olympics and beyond the Olympics, frankly no one can predict that. All I can do at this juncture, being in China now, is put forward I think a rational and reasoned case as to why negotiation and why the avoidance of violence is an appropriate way through what is a difficult situation.
Mundgod – Tibetan Solidarity Committee Mundgod Report on
28/4/08: Special prayer for the Tibetans who died and still suffering in Tibet. During this prayer session, all the nuns from Jangchup Choling Nunnery and the lay people attended where more than thousand butter lamps were lit. Monks gather in their respective monasteries in their own prayer halls and prayed for those deceased and Tibetans suffering in Tibet. Relay hunger strike was organized to start from 29 April onwards. Dharamsala – 1. 29th April 2008: Around one thousand people gathered at Lhabsoeri for sangsol and to observe the death anniversary of martyr Thupten Ngodup. The Tibetan Youth Congress organized the program where former Kalon Tripa Sonam Topgyal addressed the gathering. Ladakh - 1. 28th April 2008: Special prayers session were organized at various monasteries to observe the completion of 49 days since the recent mass protest broke out in Tibet against the Chinese regime where many innocent Tibetan died as a result of Chinese clampdown. 2. All the shops and restaurant in the region remained closed for a day to pay homage to all those Tibetan martyrs who lost their life.
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