Around 300 Tibetans and Tibet-supporters protested this Thursday in Zurich as “living targets” against the killing of at least one 17-year old Tibetan, who, among 70 other people, was fleeing from Tibet to Nepal. Furthermore, an unusual activity with a venison-poster in Zurich, Berne and Basel has attracted attention among many perplexed restaurant guests.
On September 30, 2006, armed Chinese units killed at least one Tibetan, a 17-year old nun by the name of Kelsang Namtso, while on the run across the Himalaya-Pass “Nangpa.”
It is probable that at least one more Tibetan has been killed. A group of 43 Tibetans succeeded to escape to Nepal. After having been arrested by armed Chinese police units, the whereabouts and well-being of about 30 other Tibetans, half of which are children, is unclear. For the first time now, it was possible to capture the disproportionate Chinese actions on camera. The film material has already been televised by international TV-stations such as CNN and BBC.
Last Thursday, around 100 Tibetans and Tibet-supporters demonstrated against the killing at the Nangpa-Pass, all symbolically wearing targets on their jackets. As “living targets,” the demonstrators wanted to show how their fellow citizens are being perceived by the border patrols.
Furthermore, a venison-poster-campaign has attracted attention among restaurant guests in Zurich, Berne and Basel: Instead of a regular menu, the guests were confronted with a menu including dishes such as “Defenceless Children,” “Innocent Nuns,” and “Unarmed Men.” All these dishes appeared under the title “Venison Specialties à la Chinoise – Specialties from the Nangpa-Pass.” The campaign shall point out that the Tibetans at the Nangpa-Pass were killed like fair game.
“The armed Chinese units have used force in a disproportionate and unlawful way. It is a mockery that the Chinese Regime will organize the 2008 Olympic Games – games which stand for fairness and international understanding”, said Tenda Chokchampa, co-president of the Tibetan Youth Association in Europe. He goes on to urge Micheline Calmy-Rey to discuss the killing at the Nangpa-Pass during her upcoming visit to China and to stand up for the well-being and safety of the arrested refugees – half of which are children.
The killing of the 17-year old Kelsang Namtso and the fate of the refugee group has triggered worldwide protests. Among others, protests have already taken place in San Francisco, Washington, London, Toronto, Milan, New Delhi and Dharamsala. More demonstrations have been planned.
Media contact
Mr. Kelsang Gope
079 357 32 46, k.g@vtje.org
www.vtje.org
