By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, June 26: With the situation inside Tibet deteriorating and the number of political prisoners increasing since Xi Jinping took over as China’s president, the Gu Chu Sum Movement said it condemn China for its harsh policies while marking the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
“They [Chinese authorities] have been using the term ‘social stability’ to arrest Tibetans and it has become one of the main causes of arrest and torture. We are completely against it. China, despite being one of the five permanent members of the UN, continues to disregard its responsibilities,” said Lhagyari Namgyal Dolkar, the President of the organization at the Tibetan Day’s School in Dharamshala.
To create awareness amongst children on the current situation in Tibet, the former political prisoners’ organization organized an art competition for them on ‘Torture in Tibet’.
“Through today’s event we can gauge the outlook and the image of Tibet held by the younger generations of Tibetans in exile. It will be also helpful for us as an organization in organizing our future events,” said Namgyal.
Tenzin Chime from the Tibetan Model School (Peton Lobdra) drew a Tibetan burning in the middle with his hand folded in prayers with a dark red surrounding from all corner.
“It is an image of a Tibetan martyr self-immolating with China surrounding him. I am also going to write a slogan ‘Have a long life Tibetan heroes’ at the bottom,” the young student said.
The paintings were exhibited in the school and plans are afoot to have the best drawings printed on t-shirts.
Students from 4th and 5th standards from the TCV Day School and 6th, 7th and 8th standards from Petoen Model School took part in the art competition.
