Press Release

July 24, 2008

Authorities Destroy Retreat Centre and Confiscate Religious Artifacts:

According to a reliable source, Tsezin, a Tibetan Yogi who had spent many years retreating in mount Wutai Shan, in China had built around ten new retreat huts with the monetary contribution of one hundred thousand Renminbi from one of his patrons around a decade ago and was named Pema Gon. These huts were particularly built by the said monk to alleviate the sufferings of other retreating monks who faced problem of shelter. Tsezin hails from Golok Ponkor Medma and his philanthropic gesture had been greatly admired by the monks who usually come for pilgrimage and retreat to this Buddhist site.

However, following the widespread peaceful demonstration in Tibet, the Chinese Government ordered these Tibetan monks retreating at Mount Wutai Shan to leave the place. Consequently Tsezin was also compelled to return to his native area. But before leaving, Tsezin had appointed a Chinese monk to take care Pema Gon. Unfortunately the Chinese monk was also expelled by the Chinese authorities on July 19, 2008 and all the belongings including around ten precious statues and ten scroll paintings depicting Buddhist deities were confiscated and the very next day the retreat center was completely destroyed without any trace of it. 

 

In view of the ongoing critical situation inside Tibet, we urge the United Nations and the International community and organizations to the following urgent needs:

1. To immediately send an independent international fact-finding mission into Tibet
2. To exert pressure on the PRC government to allow unfettered access to free press in whole of Tibet
3. To pressure the PRC to end the brutal killings in the whole of Tibet
4. To immediately release all the arrested and imprisoned Tibetans
5. To extend immediate medical assistance to those injured Tibetans
6. To allow free movement of people and provide access to daily needs

 - Tibetan Solidarity Committee