Worldwide vigil in solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet

2012. február 7./UNFFT/TibetPress

Oakland - Along with Chinese and Vietnamese Rights groups, worldwide campaign joined and organized by United Nations For a Free Tibet will be held in Argentina, Cost Rica, Emirates, India, Germany, Romania and many other countries on February 8th, to show our solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet.

Kalon Tripa calls for worldwide vigil and said entire Tibet under martial law. In his first official statement on the recent killings of Tibetans in Tibet, Kalong Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay urged Tibetans and Tibet supporters all over the world to take part in a global vigil on Wednesday, February 8.

In two separate incidents, earlier this week, hundreds of Tibetans took out demonstrations calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and demanding freedom in Tibet. Protests in Drango county, flared up on Monday after local Chinese Public Security Bureau officials arbitrarily arrested Tibetans on suspicion of their involvement in the appearance of leaflets and posters around the town following the wave of self-immolations in the region. The posters had warned of more Tibetan self-immolations if the Chinese government did not listen to Tibetan concerns. Eyewitnesses in the region have confirmed the death of six Tibetans in police firings.

A day later, at least five Tibetans suffered fatal bullet injuries in police firings in Serthar, where over 600 Chinese security personnel brutally suppressed a peaceful demonstration by Tibetans calling for Tibet’s independence.

Referring to the recent police firings, Dr Sangay noted that China’s “gruesome acts” and “systematic repression of Tibetans” has led to the growth of “resentment and anger” amongst Tibetans against the Chinese government since the massive uprising of 2008."

He said, “Basic human rights are being denied to Tibetans, the fragile environment is being destroyed, Tibetan language and culture is being assimilated, portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama are banned, and Tibetans are being economically marginalised.”

While addressing Tibetans in Tibet, Dr Sangay promised that their sacrifices will not go in vain. He said, "We hear your cries loud and clear. We urge you not to despair and refrain from extreme measures. We feel your pain and will not allow the sacrifices you have made go in vain. You all are in our heart and prayers each and every day."

At this “critical time,” we call on the international community to show solidarity and raise our voices in support of the fundamental rights of the Tibetan people, and remind the Beijing government that violence will never address the genuine grievances of Tibetans and restore stability in Tibet. The Chinese authorities should understand that “The only way to resolve the Tibet issue and bring about lasting peace is by respecting the rights of the Tibetan people and through dialogue,” said by Dr Sangay.

Since March 2011, 16 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire demanding the return of the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China's continued occupation of Tibet.

Thus, in light of the recent repression by Chinese authorities in Tibet, we are here to urge the International Society to pressure the Chinese government to:

1. Allow Human Rights groups and International observers to monitor the situation in Tibet.

2. Resume talks with His Holiness Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration.

3. Allow His Holiness to return to Tibet and grant Tibet a Genuine autonomy within the framework of a Chinese constitution.