Dharamsala, Jan. 29 – Fearing recurrence of March 2008 incidents in Tibet, the exile Tibetan government has urged the Chinese government to call off the “Strike Hard” campaign that started on January 18 and has already arrested 81 Tibetans since.
Kesang Yankyi Takla, Minister for Information and International Relations, appealed to the parliaments, governments and individuals around the world to actively intervene so that unfortunate events like that of March 2008 could be avoided.
The Minister was talking to reporters at a press conference today at the premises of the exile Tibetan government.
She said the “Strike Hard” campaign has taken on a political angle particularly after the March 2008 widespread uprising in Tibet and is being used as a tool to eliminate any political dissents.
“The re-launch of the ‘Strike Hard’ campaign and intensification of other PRC’s hard-line policies will cause much more violation of fundamental rights and freedom of the Tibetan people.”
She said that such hard-line policies will only cause more unrest and, therefore, justify the use of more repressive measures.
She requested the Tibetans in Tibet to maintain calm and refrain from endangering one’s own life.
“We further urge you to do your all in preventing any animosity and clashes with Chinese people.”
On asked about the celebrations of the Tibetan New Year being forced upon the Tibetans in Tibet, she said it is up to the individual to celebrate or not to celebrate and that China must not force the Tibetans into celebrating especially as a year draws to a close since many Tibetans lost their lives in the aftermath of March 2008.
