Mr. Craig G. Mokhiber, Deputy Director of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights officially visited the Hunger Strikers and expressed his concerns and commitment for the hunger strike movement. He further presented a copy of Press Release from the UN on the case of Tulku Tenzin Delek to the hunger strikers.
On the sunny day of 16th April, with initiatives from the Amnesty International local groups and Student for a Free Tibet, a huge function was organized at Presbyterian Church in New York City. The function was participated by more than 800 students and many dignitaries.
The gathering was addressed by Ms. Lhadon Tethong, Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet (SFT), who in her speech explained how Tibet existed as an Independent Nation in fact and law, all through its history until communist China forcibly invaded Tibet in the 1950s. She also commented on gross atrocities committed on the Tibetans who suffered deprivation of entire human rights, facing a total marginalisation and who are virtually pushed to the brink of annihilation. Thereafter, Mr. Tsultrim Dorjee Chunang, the General Secretary of Tibetan Youth Congress addressed the gathering. In his speech, he explained about the TYC organisation, objectives of the ongoing hunger strike and the expectation from the freedom loving people of world to help support in freeing Tulku Tenzin Delek from execution and help to release the XIth Panchen Lama. He further stressed on the grim future that the situation of Tibet is deteriorating day by day and that Beijing Railway line from Golmod to Lhasa, which would be completing in 2007 will turn Tibet into a wide influx of Chinese immigration that Tibetans would no longer be exiting in their own country and therefore the year 2007 would be the date line for the ‘Operation Rescue Tibet’.
After the function, a group of students visited the spot of hunger strike and expressed their solidarity and support and as a mark of remembrance they took pictures along with the three determined hunger strikers.
Later in the evening around 4.30 pm, in support of the TYC led indefinite hunger strike, a large number of students from the Amnesty international local groups along with Students for a free Tibet and Tibetan Youth Congress held a big demonstration outside the Chinese Embassy in New York, raising banners and shouting slogans like ‘China lies – UN listens’ ‘Human Rights in Tibet – Now!’ Release the Panchen Lama – Now!’ ‘Release Tenzin Delek – Now!’ ‘China out of Tibet – Now!’ for over an hour.
On the 17th April, twelve Tibetan Community members of Boston joined the hunger strikers for a day long token hunger strike in support of the indefinite hunger strike movement. The hunger strikers were visited by many prominent personalities including Mrs. Mary Beth Markey, the Executive Director of International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) and expressed their solidarity and support.
The hunger strikers are being encouraged and inspired by the mounting supports and solidarity from international friends, Tibet supporters and Tibetan communities around the world. Besides, the regional chapters of TYC across the globe took initiatives in organizing various activities like chain hunger strike, candle light vigil, peaceful demonstration, signature campaign, fax campaign etc. to show a solidarity and support for the TYC led indefinite hunger strike.
Today marks the 16th day of TYC led indefinite hunger strike.
