Date: March 31, 2008
March 31, 2008
Shimla -
1. Head Shave by Tibetans in Shimla on 28.03.2008.
52 Tibetans have shaved their heads to show sadness and solidarity with recent incident in Tibet. It gave a wide coverage in both forms of media to inspire more support from Indian public to stand up in support for Tibetans.
2. Tibetan Children March in Shimla on 30.03.2008.
More than 200 Tibetan Children from 5 to 15 years staged a peaceful march from D.C. Road to Sher-E-Punjab.
The objective of the Children's peace march is to tell & show to the Chinese Government that the Children are ready to take on the Challenge of Tibetan struggle, and the Tibet sprit will never die.
The media and public have shown special interest in Children march.
3. Special Press Conference of 2 Australian National.
Everyday we meet about 20 to 30 foreigners in Shimla who shows lot of interest and support for the Tibetan cause. Fortunately, we met two Australian Nationals, who told us about their recent visit to Tibet. We discussed about their experience and observation in Tibet. Their explanation inspired us to organize a press conference.
The Press Conference was organized in Ashiana Hotel on 31.03.2008 at 12.00 AM. We introduce the Australian friends to the media. Then the Australian friends made a verbal as well as written statement, which was distributed, to all the press.
Later, we made a conclusion on each point the Australian friends have mentioned to the media. (The press release statement is enclosed with this report).
4. ABVP Rally on 31.03.2008 at 3 PM.
Akhil Bharti Vidyarthi Parishad of Himachal Pradesh has organized more than 100 Indian Students studying in HP University, and staged a protest rally in support of Tibetan struggle, and against the Chinese Communist Regime brutal crackdown in Tibet.
On the occasion, Mr. Ramesh Pappa, Secretary General of World Organization of Students and Youth have spoke on recent incident in Tibet and termed as Chinese suppression of human rights and religious freedom. He strongly asked the Indian people to stand up in support of Tibetan struggle. Later, he told the Tibetans to continue in their struggle, and 100 core Indian people will always stand in support of Tibetan struggle.
5. Providing daily update about Tibet to Indian public and foreigner in Shimla.
The committee hired a prominent terrace ground on Mall Road and set up an information center on 26.03.2008 to provide information on daily happenings in Tibet, and around the globe. The daily press release from Tibetan Solidarity Committee in Dharamsala is being distributed to public daily in both English and Hindi. This program will continue until 04.04.2008.
We also undertake signature and message campaign from public to be dispatched to UNO and other Indian government officials. Around 15,000 people have supported the Tibetan cause by signing our campaign. We also distributed different websites where Tibet related news and videos are available on the Internet.
Shimla Press Release -
VISIT TO TIBET - ESTHER O'BRIEN AND WADE COLLINS.
We recently visited Tibet from the 26th February to the 5th March. To enter Tibet we had to go on an organized tour arranged by the Chinese government, we were given a Tibetan guide and driver.
We traveled overland from the Nepalese border stooping at various towns and villages including Lhatse, Gyanste, Xigatse, and then finally to Lhasa where we spent the remaining 3 days of our 8 day tour.
From the border into Tibet, the first 150 km of road was under heavy construction managed by the Chinese military. After this 150 km, the road had been completed to a high standard, and continued to Lhasa. There were three separate security identification/passport checks between the Chinese border and Lhasa. There were many factories and power lines that had been established between the Nepalese border and Lhasa.
The television programs were all in Chinese, with no mention of anything Tibetan. There were a lot of Chinese language programs, and advertisements for the Olympics.
There was military presence in Lhasa especially inside and around Potala Palace. Our guide told us not to talk about HH 14th Dalai Lama or the Tibetan issue, as he would face a $1000 USD fine and/or imprisonment if caught. He would reinforce this point when we went into monasteries and the palace because of the military presence. He also said that we should not talk about it to each other, because he is our guide he can get into trouble.
In Potala Palace, there was no mention of HH 14th Dalai Lama's existence, only reference to the previous Dalai Lama's up to the 13th.
In the Chinese populated towns, there were many Tibetan beggars, none of them with disabilities. There were also many Tibetan men drinking on the street, and very few Tibetan businesses. In the Tibetan villages where there was no Chinese population, we did not see any beggars or men drinking on the street. People were looking after their herds and their houses, and generally working.
Ms. Esther O'Brien (Psychologist)
Mr. Wade Collins (Mechanical Engineer)
Conclusion drawn by the Shimla Tibetan Solidarity Committee.
1. BORDER ROAD.
As our friends have told that the road from Nepalese border to about 150 are heavy construction, and rest of the roads are of high standard. This clearly shows that the Chinese military can be deployed quickly in case any emergency occur.
2. KILLING OF TIBETAN LANGUAGE..
All TV programs are in Chinese language with no mention of Tibetan language. This clearly shows that Chinese government has a policy of destroying Tibetan language. Moreover, Chinese language is better taught in all the Schools in Tibet. From the recruitment of bureaucrats and employment in business sector, more preference is given to those who have good knowledge of Chinese speaking people.
3. HEAVY MILITARY PRESENCE IN TIBET.
Heavy military presence in the capita city Lhasa, and imposing of fine up to US dollar 1000 and prisonment for talking about H.H. The Dalai Lama and Tibetan issue in Tibet, which clearly shows that there is no human rights, religious freedom and freedom of speech in Tibet.
4. ERADICATION OF HIS HOLINESS NAME IN TIBET.
The 14th Dalai Lama has no mention in his own palace of POTALA, as mentioned by our Australian friends.
5. MANY TIBETAN BEGGARS IN TIBETAN CITY.
The Australian friends have seen many beggars around the city of Lhasa, which clearly shows that Tibetan youths are not provided equal opportunity in employment, and our people are compelled to beg in the city, or surrender under the policy of Chinese Government.
6. TIBETAN YOUTHS ARE FORCED TO TAKE UP ALCOHOL.
As Tibetan's youth are passing their time by drinking alcohol, which is very serious concern for the Tibetan national. The Chinese government has forced our youth to indulge in such activities due of lack of employment opportunity, and alcohol are made very cheap and are available at all over cities.
7. HUGE TRANSFER OF CHINESE POPULATION TO TIBET.
Only few businesses are owned by the Tibetans as mentioned, which is due to the transfer of Chinese population from China to Tibet, where Chinese people are facing problem of employment due to population and otherwise. The Tibetans are not only kicked out of major business area, but also Chinese people are flooded into Tibet, which makes our own people minority in our own homeland.
Finland -
A small group of Tibet supporters in Helsinki - will show their support in a protest tomorrow in front of the town hall. Furthermore, there is a discussion on Friday in Helsinki with some members of the Finish parliament and members of NGO's.
Budapest -
Budapest celebrates the World Peace day. Tibetan Freedom Torch passed through the Chinese Embassy. After 10 minutes of peace march on the main road, there were almost 5000 people waiting for the Tibetan Freedom torch. Tibetan freedom torch began passing the peace flame to everyone. During events, we prayed for world peace and also screened 6 minutes His Holiness message for World peace as well. World peace event lasted 2 hours. Chinese Embassy staffs were watching from the corner while people were celebrating and supporting Tibetan peace as well as for world peace. Huge Tibetan National flags were seen at every corner.
Nepal -
As per verbal request by Mr. Richard Bennett, Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR, Kathmandu, Nepal) a CD containing photographs of killed and injured victims and of the demonstrations that had taken place in Tibet was delivered to him. The photographs came from a private source.
Arrests and Injury:
243 Tibetans demonstrating in front of the Chinese Visa Section (old Chinese Embassy) were arrested. A monk was struck on the stomach. An X-ray was taken by the police at their hospital and it was pronounced that there was no damage to be concerned about. No serious injuries reported. All those arrested were released at 2200 hours. Members of special designated Task Forces brought food and water to those arrested and stood ready to provide and care for medical needs if and when such need arise. The NTSC arranged buses and other transportation upon the release of the arrestees, often past 9 PM.
Shabten recital of 30/3/2008: Number of participants = 2000 + 81 during night = 2081
- Dolma Gyeypa 6,46,441 + during the night = 26,325 = Total 6,72,766
- Dolma Dhueypa 4,80,653
- Dolma Zung 2,53,716
- Mani 86,27,217
- Vajra Guru 9,11,558
- Tamding Zung 4,40,940
German Parliamentary delegation:
A Parliamentary delegation from the Federal Republic of Germany who is on a visit to Nepal is scheduled to visit the Prayer Congregation center at Boudha tomorrow (April 1, 2008).
Dalhousie -
1. 26th March 2008: Kirti Dolker Lhamo (MP) and the Tibetan settlement officer of Dalhousie met the president and other representatives of Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society. They briefed them on the recent events unfolded in Tibet and urged them for their support for the Tibetan cause.
2. 27th March 2008: Organized photo exhibition and the video presentation of recent killings in Tibet in the main market of Dalhousie. Besides, signature campaign was also launched.
Delhi -
Tibetans gathered in large numbers to commemorate MONDAYS IN BLACK at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. India Tibet Friendship Society joined in for the day's hunger strike.
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).
Tibetans staged a brilliant mock trial depicting Chinese crackdown on recent protests in Tibet. This was followed by burning of Chinese goods.
In the afternoon, ITSN global action day of action was launched. Mrs. B Tsering (President, Tibetan Women's Association) presented the Awaaz petition to the public and explained that in 80 cities in 27 countries the petition was being submitted today to the respective Chinese Embassies. Ms. Lhadon Tethong and Mr. Tenzin Choeying both spoke on the importance of having our protests heard when the Beijing Torch passes the Capital on April 17, 2008.
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 the memorandum and the Awaaz petition box. The Chinese Embassy did not accept the memorandum or the Awaaz petition box but both found its way till the closest barrack of the Chinese Embassy and the memorandum handed over to the diplomatic security personnel.
Bir (Tashi Gong) -
The Tibetans in Tashi Jong Settlement and the concerned monasteries located in the area nearby carried out non-violent activities. From 6:00 to 10:00PM, on 16th March 2008, Tibetans mourned and observed a candle light vigil and circumambulated around the monastery. After receiving consent from the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), we (approximately 150 monks and laypersons) observed Candle Light Vigil from Tashi Jong to Baijnath via Paparola. There was a plan to further observe another candle light vigil and hunger strike at Palampur but wasn't able to do it due to lack of permit from the Sub Divisional Magistrate. Some volunteers left for Delhi on 31st March 2008 for Delhi to participate in the activities there.