DHARAMSHALA, December 7 – The only Tibetan – run right group monitoring human rights situation in Tibet launched a campaign against ban on freedom of expression in Tibet. The campaign is supported by the Voice of Tibet Radio and the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts.
‘The Banned Expression : Support Free Speech in Tibet’, Tibetan Centre of Human Rights and Democracy said, aims to highlight the “fast shrinking space for writers and artists to freely and fearlessly express their views and to pressure China to respect Tibetan rights.”
Over a hundred Tibetan writers, poets, artists, intellectuals and cultural figures have been arrested, tortured and imprisoned since the 2008 uprising across Tibet. “By daring to refute China’s official narrative of events surrounding the 2008 Uprising, these courageous Tibetans represent a significant new challenge to the Chinese authorities,” said Tsering Tsomo, the director of the TCHRD.
The campaign will culminate in an awareness concert by one of India’s leading rock bands, Parikrama, on 10 December 2013, observed internationally as Human Rights Day. The concert will be held at TIPA in Mcleod Ganj near Dharamshala.
“The focus of our message on the 64th International Human Rights Day is the Right to Freedom of Opinion, Expression and Information,” said Tsering.
TCHRD and VOT will release a special report titled ‘Banned Expression: Stifling Dissent and Creativity in Tibet’. The report details the widespread, systematic attacks on the right to freedom of expression in Tibet including information on the recent arrests and imprisonment of Tibetan writers and artists.
