Today, on Human Rights Day, let us recommit ourselves to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and let us rededicate ourselves to wiping the scourge of torture from the face of the earth.”
Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General [10 Dec 2005]
London, December 10 – To mark the 57th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Tibetan Youth in UK staged a candle light vigil and protest in front of the Chinese Embassy here in London calling for the immediate end of China’s Patriotic Education campaign in Tibet and the release of imprisoned monks and nuns that were unjustly arrested, detained and tortured. We also demand China to uphold international human rights standards that guarantee freedom of religion and thought.
Tibetans and its supporters strongly protests against the China’s harsh treatment to the monks and nuns in Tibet shouted slogans of “Stop killing in Tibet”; “Stop torture in Tibet”; “Stop Patriotic education campaign in Tibet”; “Release the imprisoned monks and nuns in Tibet” and “Free Tibet”. Lighting of candles and recitation of ‘prayer for truth’ pays tribute to the brave Tibetans who have lost their lives and still suffering under the Chinese regime in Tibet.
In the recent times, there has been intensification of religious repression in Tibet. Under the name of the “Patriotic Education” campaign, Tibetan monks and nuns are forced to denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama as “Separatist” and to accept “Tibet as part of China.” The monks and nuns in Tibet showed their disagreement and refused to do so were arrested, expelled and even led to take drastic steps due to severe torture. According to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy [www.tchrd.org], Ngawang Jangchub, 28 years old, died in the first week of October 2005 under mysterious circumstances in his quarter in Drepung Monastery in Tibet following a “patriotic education” session.
On 23 November, five monks were beaten and arrested at Drepung monastery by Chinese Public Security Bureau (PSB). Two days later, 400 monks staged a mass silent protest to call for the release of the arrested monks. The People’s Armed Police, the Army, and PSB officials immediately arrived at the monastery and quelled the protest by beating the monks. The Chinese authorities also secured the monastery, and controlled all incoming and outgoing traffic.
After a decade of severe restrictions and repression in the Chinese occupied Tibet, a mass non-violent protest took place in Drepung Monastery in Tibet clearly show that Tibetans are deprived of their freedom of speech and religion under the Chinese regime. The recent crackdown on the Tibetan monks and nuns’ peaceful protest came at a time when the People’s Republic of China and its President Hu Jintao gave assurances of improving human rights in Tibet and China during the latest visits of US President George Bush to China, followed by the visits of UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Mr. Manfred Nowak in Tibet. But on the other hand, China continues the violation of human rights, imprisonment and torture of the Tibetans inside Tibet denying their fundamental rights of freedom.
On International Human Rights Day, TYUK call upon the international community to stand united against the oppression of religious freedom inside China occupied Tibet.
BHOD-GYALO
Issued by: Tibetan Youth in UK [TYUK]
Contact: +44-7725501995
