Dharamsala, November 15 – Hundreds of Tibetans and supporters on Saturday carried out protest demonstration in Yokohama, Japan, against China’s suppression of Tibetans inside Tibet and their freedom of language and culture.
The protest was targeted at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)Forum, which was attended among others by Chinese President Hu Jintao. The protesters gathered at Goshoyama Park, the venue of the APEC Forum. The marchers carrying Tibetan national flags, and placards passed through Isezakicho mall and gathered at Yokohama Park.
Organized by Tibetan Community of Japan with the support of Students for Free Tibet Japan, the day began with speeches by Ven.Wakaomi of Zenkoji Temple and the Vice President of Tibetan community Dolma Tsering.
“We are not here to protest against the countries participating in APEC forum, instead we support the meet and hope for positive outcome from the forum. However, it is our appeal to the various leaders of APEC countries to raise the issue of human rights and Tibet with China,” said Dolma.
Dolma said that president Hu Jintao must listen to the voices of the Tibetans. The best opportunity to communicate with the Chinese leaders is when they are on alien soil, she said. “Hu Jintao and other Chinese leaders must respect the Tibetan people’s right to religion and culture. Suppression will give way to dissent one day so I urge them to not just talk about stability and harmonious society but work for it,” she added.
Makino Seishu, Japan member of Diet (Japanese lagislature) and ardent Tibet supporter said in a message sent for the event, “I firmly believe the core political agenda in 21st century rests with the human rights and poverty alleviation. Only by addressing these issues, there will be a peace in this world. And I commit myself to addressing the Tibet problem with the spirit of non-violence and dialogue. I express my solidarity to the people participating here today.”
The famous Japanese Alpinist Ken Noguchi wrote in his message, “According to China, Tibet is an internal problem and always warns other countries not to intervene in China’s internal affair. Until now, many Tibetans have been jailed, tortured and killed. The human rights issue has no boundary.”
The protesters expressed their disappointment at the recent replacement of Tibetan language as the medium of instruction by Chinese in Tibetan schools in Qinghai province. Various Japanese media such as NHK covered the protest.
“China’s forced introduction of Chinese language in schools is aimed at wiping out the entire Tibetan race, and this is dangerous not just for the people of Qinghai who are directly affected by it but also the entire Tibetan populace around the world,” said Tsering Dorjee, a member of SFT Japan.
21000 police personnel have been deployed in the Yokohama city to ensure smooth running of the APEC Forum.
based on a report sent by Tsering Dorjee
