China’s “economic boom” must not be taken by the rest of the world as genuine and respectable because hidden behind the Great Wall of China lies a human rights crisis, including overwhelming brutality by Chinese military unleashed on the Tibetan people and other groups. Tibetans are continuingly subjected to brute measures upon practicing freedom of religion and preserving our culture and identity in Tibet. The cruelty with which the Chinese authority reacted to a peaceful protest, against “Patriotic Re-education” in Drepung monastery this November, suggests that China has not improved its human rights record at all. It also reiterates the fact that the Chinese authorities are ready to go to any extent if challenged by the basic cries of humanity — freedom and human rights.
Given the widespread arbitrary detention, torture, and killings in Tibet, it is easily recognizable that Tibetans in the free world have a moral duty to awaken and inform the world about the sufferings of our people in our occupied homeland. In this direction, San Francisco Tibetan Youth Congress members protested in front of the Chinese consulate today, specifically, demanding the immediate release of the five monks arrested after the Drepung incident. We also demand the Chinese government to redress the rising tide of Chinese brutality in Tibet, self-explanatory from the recent crack-down in Drepung monastery: One monk died in mysterious circumstances and five were arrested while couple hundreds were severely beaten.
With a growing number of protesters, San Francisco Bay Area Tibetans and supporters took the moment to shame China for its violation of human rights and ever continuing occupation of Tibet. One speaker shouted, “Shame on China – the butcher of human rights” and this was soon followed by the demand, “Release the five monks (Drepung) now! Free Tenzin Delek now! Free the Panchen Lama now! Release all the political prisoners now…”. The initial stage of the protest proved to be a “shock and awe” assault on the Chinese Consulate. Around 2:30 p.m. a number of Tibetans rushed toward the huge wooden entrance door to shout into the building, even through the security cameras. As the staffs felt the heat, within fifteen minutes, a number of police cars and motor bikes passed us to verify the nature of the loud protest. By then we knew that the Chinese embassy staffs were totally aware of our cries and demands and feeling the pressure.
Along the streets, pedestrians watched in amazement with due appraisals. Drivers and passengers (many Asians in particular) in cars, busses, vans…, passing by the protesters, waved their hands while others nod their heads to share the sentiments of the Tibetan people, often brought in a miniature through such protest.
During the course of the protest, close to six hundred flyers were passed out to the public. The loud protest went on for three hours with one short break midway. During the break, the Tibetan demands submitted to European Parliament ahead of China-EU Summit was read out.
The protest ended with “Dhen Tsek Mon Lam”–the prayer of Truthful Words and Tibetan national anthem.
Free Tibet! Free All the Political Prisoners Now! Free The Drepung Monks Now!
report by Dawa Dorjee, RTYC San Francisco
