By Tendar Tsering
DHARAMSHALA, March 2: Lending support to the demands of the three Tibetans who have been on an indefinite fast since February 22 in New York, Tibetans and supporters in the exile headquarters of Dharamshala took out a candle light protest today in the evening.
The Tibetan Youth Congress called for a mass campaign-day on March 6, coinciding with the 14th day of the indefinite fast outside the United Nations office.
“We urge Tibetans and supporters all around the globe to organise solidarity campaigns on March 6 to show our support with the Tibetans inside Tibet and our three hunger strikers,” Dhondup Lhadar, Vice-President, TYC said.
Speaking at the vigil, Lhadar revealed that the health of three has considerably deteriorated since they began their fast ten days ago.
“Shingza Rinpoche and Dorjee Gyalpo have lost 6 kgs each and Yeshi Tenzing has lost 3 kgs,” the vice-president said.
The New York Police Department had earlier ordered the removal of the hunger strike tent, exposing the weakened hunger strikers to the chill of New York wind and rain.
“Initially the tent was forbidden at the fast site and on the 7th day, the NYPD ordered the removal of the beds and chairs as well from the fast venue,” Lhadar noted.
“Yet, despite all these, the hunger strikers are determined to carry on their with their demands,” the TYC vice president said.
Responding to allegation from Beijing, blaming TYC for inciting the series of self-immolations in Tibet, Lhadar pointed out that Tibetans in Tibet clearly recognised and knew who their families and enemies were.
“If there is anyone provoking such actions, it is the Chinese government for imposing their repressive policies and employing excessive force in Tibet.”
The three Tibetan who began their indefinite fast on the first day of the Tibetan new year, are directly appealing the United Nations to immediately send a fact-finding delegation to Tibet, put pressure on China – to stop the undeclared martial law in Tibet, to allow international media inside Tibet, to release all political prisoners including Gedun Choekyi Nyima and Tulku Tenzin Delek, and to stop the “patriotic re-education” campaign in Tibet.
“We also appeal world leaders and governments to intervene and engage directly with the Chinese leadership to stop the ongoing genocide in Tibet,” the Tibetans said.
Since Tapey’s self-immolation protest in 2009, 23 Tibetans have torched their bodies demanding the return of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom in Tibet.
