Street theatre depicts critical situation inside Tibet/ENG

2012. március 21./Phayul.com/TibetPress

DHARAMSHALA, March 21: Tibet activists today staged a dramatic political theatre action in the exile Tibetan headquarters of Dharamshala, highlighting the critical human rights situation inside Tibet.

The organisers of the campaign, Students For a Free Tibet-India, called on the United Nations and world leaders to take “immediate and coordinated action to condemn China's escalating crackdown in Tibet.”

Enacting scenes depicting China's “extreme and violent” response to Tibetan mass protests and self-immolations, the activists, dressed as Tibetan monks in blood-soaked robes are shown being violently assaulted by Chinese armed forces for demanding freedom in Tibet and the return of the Dalai Lama.

Speaking at the street theatre, Tsewang Dhundup, a Tibetan who narrowly escaped death and was shot in the arm by Chinese forces during a peaceful protests in 2008 said the situation inside Tibet is worsening each day.

“This harrowing scene is being repeated across Tibet as Tibetans are attacked and harassed by Chinese authorities for simply advocating their basic rights and freedom," said Dhundup, while referring to the recent instances of Chinese forces throwing explosive and opening indiscriminate fire on unarmed Tibetan protesters.

"I saw a Tibetan monk shot right in front of my eyes. He later died in my arms as I tried to help him,” Dhundup recounted. “The UN and world governments must intervene now to stop China's extreme and violent attacks against Tibetans before more lives are lost.”

Bystanders at the street theatre were asked to deliver petitions to UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon, urging him to take urgent action for Tibet.

In the ongoing wave of self-immolations inside Tibet, 30 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire since 2009 demanding the return of the Dalai Lama and freedom in Tibet.

Mass protests in recent weeks have drawn thousands of Tibetans on the streets in eastern Tibet protesting China;’s continued occupation of Tibet.

“The situation in Tibet demands an immediate response from the United Nations and our elected leaders that Beijing cannot ignore,” Dorjee Tseten, National Director of Students for a Free Tibet-India said in a release.

Tseten told Phayul that his organisation is also planning activities during Chinese President Hu Jintao’s upcoming visit to India, while refraining from giving out details.
By Tendar Tsering