PRESS REALEASE
Slovenia, June 19 – Three Resolutions condemnåing China for the lack of Freedom of Expression and opinion were passed today at the 71st PEN International Congress in Bled, Slovenia. The Resolution submitted by the Tibetan Writers Abroad PEN Centre on the ongoing and widespread crackdown on Freedom of Expression in Tibet was unanimously passed at the General Assembly. The International PEN is the only worldwide association of writers set up in 1921. PEN currently has 141 Centres in 99 countries where the Tibetan Writers Abroad Centre is an equal member.
The Tibetan Resolution called China to free all Tibetan writers who are under arrest, in prison or who are deprived of their political rights and right to movement. In specific, the resolution urged Beijing to release Geshe Je Tashi Gyaltsen, Jamphal Gyatso, Tsultrim Phelgye, Lobsang Dargye, and Toesam Zangden from Darkar Telzong Monastery in Amdo, Tibet, who were arrested on 16th January this year for the alleged reason of spreading negative political ideology in their writings.
Another Resolution tabled by the Independent Chinese Centre urging Beijing to release all arrested and imprisoned writers and journalists in Tibet, East Turkestan, Inner Mongolia and China was also passed unanimously.
Also unanimously passed was a Resolution on Crackdown on Internet Writing to the World Summit on Information Society which reffered to China for its ongoing censorship and banning of websites containing articles on Falun Gong sect and Tibetan identity.
A representative of the Tibetan Abroad PEN Centre, Tsering Yangkey said, ‘It was truly wonderful to see everyone unanimously voting to support the resolutions against Beijing. It truly showed in action that all these 140 PEN Centres from around the globe oppose any form of suppression of Freedom of Expression in any country and are not afraid to stand by their moral principles’.
–Tibet Resolution Text—
RESOLUTION
Considering the ongoing and widespread crackdown on freedom of expression of Tibetans inside Tibet and in the Peoples Republic of China:
Concerned by the detention of many writers in various prisons, making the country one of the largest detained writers in the world:
Opposing the escalation of state-ordered assaults on independent-minded and free media in Tibet, in which editors are arrested, publications closed and blackouts imposed on politically sensitive events:
Further concerned by the Chinese Government’s continued imposition of repressive measures in Tibet that limit any display of support for an independent Tibet, human rights or religious and cultural expression of Tibetan identity:
Urges the Government to:
Release all Tibetan prisoners in Tibet and PRC, who are detained in violation of their right to freedom of expression, including:
Geshe Je Tashi Gyaltsen, Jamphal Gyatso, Tsultrim Phelgye, Lobsang Dargye, and Toesam Zangden from Amdo, Tibet.
