A 50 strong Tibetans gathered outside the Chinese embassy in London demanding the immediate release of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche.
Tenzin Delek Rinpoche a popular religious figure is from eastern Tibet. On 2 December 2002, he and his disciple Lobsang Dhondup was sentenced to death for “causing explosions” and “inciting separatism”. Tenzin Delek’s was sentenced to death with two years’ suspension and deprivation of political rights for life while Lobsang Dhondup was executed.
For two hours the Tibetan braved London’s chilly winter weather chanting “Free Tibet”, “Chinese out of Tibet”, “Free Tenzin Delek Rinpoche” and “Stop the execution in Tibet”.
A Chinese official was video recording the rally through one of the Chinese embassy windows.
A petition signed by over 50 Tibetans addressed to the Chinese President Hu Jintao demanded the immediate release of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. Two youngest members of the Tibetan community in dressed in their traditional Tibetan chuba slipped the petition letter through the Chinese embassy door.
The petition read, “Tenzin Delek Rinpoche has been framed with false allegations of involvement in bombing incidents. He is a staunch activist in the revival and restoration of Tibetan culture and religion and was actively engaged in social welfare activities.”
“The arrest and sentencing of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche also suggest that charismatic and influential religious leaders in Tibet are perceived as a threat to the Chinese authorities – due to their ability to gain respect and trust among the population.”
At the end of the rally, the Tibetan sang the Prayer of Truth and the Tibetan national anthem.
