Hu Jintao presented with the mock “gold medal” award on International Human Rights Day in London
100 Tibetans and supporters protested before the Chinese Embassy in London on 10th December, the International Human Rights Day. They named and shamed the worst abusers of Human Rights and recognized them with Olympic style medals for the worst offenders in the human race.
The “gold medal” went to Hu Jintao, President of the People’s Republic of China. Tenzin Samphel, Chairman of the Tibetan Community in Britain presented the gold medal to President Hu Jintao “for his continued Violation of Human Rights in Tibet and China”. He also added, “The President of the People’s Republic of China presided the Lhasa martial Law in 1989 and was responsible for the death of many Tibetans.”
The runner up with the “silver medal” was Wu Aiying, Justice Minister of the People’s Republic of China. Pema Yoko, National Coordinator of the Students for a Free Tibet (UK Chapter) said, “This silver medal goes to Wu Aiying for her unjust punishment towards Rungye Adak, who simply voiced what the Tibetans only dream for” the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’ to Tibet. Adak was recently sentenced to 8 years in imprisonment following his public call for the return of the Dalai Lama during the Lithang Horse Racing festival in east Tibet in August. “China’s Human Rights abuses deserved to be highlighted to the world”, the young activist added.
Shamelessly pulling up the rear was Jacques Rogge; President of the International Olympic Committee awarded the “bronze medal”. Karma Chura-Tsang, Director of Tibetan Youth UK, presented the award and stated, “The International Olympic Committee must not kowtow to the Chinese Pressure.” He said, “Tibet is an occupied country under the international law, which is continued to be ruled by China’s Communist regime through intimidation, fear, torture and suppression since 1959”. The founder of a network of young Tibetans living in the UK further added, “The IOC must speak up for the human rights and include TEAM TIBET in the Olympic games”.
The peaceful protest was organised by Tibetan Community in Britain, Tibetan Youth UK, and Students for a Free Tibet (UK Chapter) and included a Candle lit vigil and Buddhist Prayers. In the UK, similar protests were also held in front of the Chinese consulates in Manchester and Edinburgh.
Report submitted by Takshar Gyalo ( takshargyalo@yahoo.com)
