For Immediate Press Release

April 28, 2008

Consequences Befalling the Passing of the Olympic Torch through the Tibetan Plateau

According to international media, shortly after Chinese government decided to carry the Olympic torch on the top of Mount Everest, they took group of international media to the site and incidentally, the second Olympic flame arrives in Tibet.

Authorities have placed immense restriction in areas of Tibet where the torch route lies. Following a heavy deployment of Chinese armies, many Tibetans have been arrested. In addition, each Tibetan household has been forced to hoist Chinese national flag on the rooftop. Chinese have also chosen few selective Tibetans to speak to the international media as their spokes person and these speakers are trained what to say and what not to say.

As previously stated in our press release, many Tibetans have been killed and arrested due to China’s brutal and violent suppression of peaceful Tibetan demonstrators. Moreover, if the Olympic torch passes through Tibet, it will undoubtedly be an immense insult and disrespect to the Tibetans, who are enduring extreme repression, mental and physical torture. It will be akin to adding salt to their wounds which will deeply hurt their sentiments.
 
Jampa Phuntsok, Governor of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), in his statement to foreign press on April 9 2008 said "I don't doubt they (Tibetans) will create trouble during the torch relay in Tibet." He further went on to warn that “We will without doubt deal with these persons severely.... we will not be merciful." From his statement, two things are very clear:

1. The Chinese authorities are sure that protests will occur on that occasion, and
2. They are equally determined to put down the protests most ruthlessly. Therefore, the actual situation on the ground will be completely in contradiction with the Olympic spirit. The Chinese government will create such a strict and suffocating atmosphere that the Tibetans, who are already under a martial law like condition, will suffer further repression, subjugation and tension.

The Tibetan Parliament-in-exile and Central Tibetan Administration has never opposed Beijing Olympic Games; however, in complying with Olympic spirit and to prevent further direct losses of precious human lives, we once again, urge International Olympic Committee and related organizations to reconsider taking the Olympic torch up to Mount Everest and inside Tibet. If direct lives are lost due to IOC’s failure to reconsider their stance, the IOC and related organized will be the sole responsible.

- Tibetan Solidarity Committee