The three hunger strikers, Ms. Dolma Choephel, Mr. Gyaltso and Mr. Sonam Wangdu continues to struggle with their demands while the number of supporters keeps mounting up. The number of token hunger strikes, prayer vigils and demonstration are being organized by the supporters all over the world to lay bare their solidarity and commonality to the Hunger Strike movement.
Different Support Groups, individuals and organizations expressed their concerns and wishes through emails and letters to the three hunger strikers. In a letter from Mr. Harrry Wu, Executive Director of Laogai Research Foundation (a Chinese Democratic NGO based in Washington DC), “The Laogai Research Foundation (LRF) would like to express sympathy with the demands of the hunger strikers in front of the United Nations in New York. LRF also joins in the demands of the hunger strikers for an account of the whereabouts of the Panchen Lama and the release of Tulku Tenzin Delek of Tibet. LFR calls on the world community to pressure the Chinese Government for the release of these two Tibetan spiritual figures and the many other Tibetans suffering at the hands of Chinese authorities.” He further added “The world should actively defend the rights of the suppressed people of Tibet and push China to the negotiating table.”
The movement also received a strong support from Mr. Kapil Shresthra, Member, National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Sudeep Pathak, President, Human Rights Organization of Nepal, Mr. Malla K. Sundar, Founder and Advisor, Human Rights Organization of Nepal, Bhupal Lamichane, Ex-Vice President, Human Rights Organization of Nepal and Mr. Sangpo Lama, Ex-Treasurer, Human Rights Organization of Nepal. In their letter to the three hunger strikers, “ On behalf of the Nepalese community and friends of Tibet in Kathmandu, Nepal, we extend our strong solidarity with the three compatriots, who have went on indefinite hunger strike in front of the UN headquarters in New York to protest the continuing human rights violations in Tibet. We urge the UN member countries, UN Secretary General, UN Committee on Rights of the Child, the UN Commission on Human Rights and the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to get the concerned authorities to meet the demands of protestors and so lve the problem on time.” Besides many other inspiring letters of support were received.
The whole night prayer vigil was organized by the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of New York and New Jersey in the Tibet House, New York on April 21, 2004. The Prayer Vigil (Drolma Tsenduen) was attended by about 125 local Tibetan and Americans to support the fulfillment of the demands placed by the three hunger strikers to the United Nations.
