Hunger strikers' health deteriorate, Remain committed to carry-on fast/ENG

2012. február 29./Phayul.com/TibetPress

DHARAMSHALA, February 29: Signs of physical deterioration have now started showing on the three hunger strikers who are now into the second week of their indefinite fast outside the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Tsewang Rigzin, president of the Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest pro-independence group in exile and organisers of the indefinite fast told Phayul that the body movements of the three Tibetans have “relatively slowed down” and their voices have become strained with the freezing New York wind and rain.

“The physical deteriorations are now visibly noticeable - Shingza Rinpoche has lost 3 kgs; Dorjee Gyalpo and Yeshi Tenzing have lost 2 kgs each,” Rigzin said.

However, Rigzin added that the hunger strikers remain “resolute and steadfast” in their appeal to the UN and world leaders to intervene and engage directly with the Chinese leadership to “stop the ongoing genocide” in Tibet.

The three Tibetans began their indefinite fast on February 22, coinciding with the first day of Losar – Tibetan new year.

The three are directly appealing the UN to immediately send a fact-finding delegation to Tibet, put pressure on China – to stop the undeclared martial law in Tibet, to allow international media, to release all political prisoners including Gedun Choekyi Nyima and Tulku Tenzin Delek, and to stop “patriotic re-education” campaigns in Tibet.

Since 2009, 23 Tibetans have torched their bodies inside Tibet demanding the return of exiled spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom in Tibet. The dramatic escalation in self-immolations in recent weeks has come amidst growing repression and military clampdown in many Tibetan areas.

Rigzin added that hundreds of Tibetans and supporters continue to visit the site of the protest to offer respect and gratitude to the hunger strikers.

Dr Yang Jianli, a Chinese pro-democracy activist and survivour of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre tweeted that he will be joining the three Tibetans in their fast on Saturday.

“These unswervingly thoughtful and sincere gestures by Tibetans, supporters, and complete strangers not only help inspire and raise the spirits of the hunger-strikers but it sends hope to our sisters and brothers sacrificing their lives in Tibet,” the TYC president said.

An appeal letter on behalf of the hunger strikers has also been delivered to the UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon.