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Events
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| Every Wednesday | Vigil for Tibetan Freedom: 6pm-8pm. Opposite the Chinese Embassy, 49-51 Portland Place, London, W1 |
| Contact Tibet Vigil on 020 78131922 |
| Saturday 10 March | Freedom March to mark
the 48th anniversary of the Tibetan people in Lhasa rising up against the
China's occupation of Tibet. Gather from 11am at the Chinese Embassy, 45-51 Portland Place, London, W1 Nearest tubes: Oxford Circus, Regents Park or Great Portland Street. |
| Plenty of placards available on the day. |
| News |
| September 2006 |
On the 30th September 2006, Chinese troops opened fire on a group of about 70 Tibetans fleeing their country into Nepal over the Nangpa la Pass. At least 2 of the group were killed, a 17 year old nun Kelsang Namtso and a 20 year old youth. A large group of around 60 western climbers were present and witnessed the event, but this was of no deterrent to the Chinese, who’s claim that their shooting was in self defence is clearly risible. It is still not clear what happened to the rest of the group which contained at least 14 children, although some 40 refugees did make it to Nepal, this is no guarantee of their safety as Tibetans are often handed back to the Chinese authorities. The shooting was clearly in breach of UN guidelines on the use of force, to say nothing of common humanity. Yet again this incident shows how important it is that solidarity is shown with the brave but oppressed people of Tibet. Over 2000 Tibetan’s risk their lives every year trying to flee their occupied country. |
| To read the eyewhitness accounts of the shootings visit: www.mounteverest.net |
| Campaigns |
| The Stop the Torture in Tibet Campaign was launched in March 2005 by the Free Tibet Campaign | Designed to run for the next 12 months, the campaign seeks to highlight the extensive use of torture throughout the Chinese penal systems, particularly against so called political prisoners. |
| Many people will have been aware
of the campaign to save Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche from a death sentence. Although this was achieved, Tenzin remains imprisoned for life and concerns exist about his well being as he is being held incommunicado. |
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| More details of this important campaign can be found at www.freetibet.org |
| Free the Panchen Lama | 2006 sees the 11th anniversary of the abduction of Gedhun Choekyl Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, and his family by the Chinese authorities. |
| Gedhun was just 6 years old when
kidnapped, making him the worlds youngest political prisoner. What sort
of regime can pursue their aims by the persecution of a 6 year old child? Since his abduction China has denied all access to Gedhun and his family, raising obvious concerns for their well being. |
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| To join in the campaign to free the Panchen Lama, go to www.freetibet.org | |
| For more information on the Panchen Lama, the second most important political and religious figure in Tibetan society, visit www.tibet-society.org.uk | |
| Or www.tashilhunpo.org The Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, now located in India, which is the official seat of the Panchen Lama. |
| China tightens grip with Tibet Railway | The Chinese
colonisation of Tibet continues apace with the opening of a rail link from
Gormo in China to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.
The aim of this railway is to strengthen the political and military grip China has on Tibet, and to facilitate even greater numbers of Chinese workers moving into Tibet, thereby further diluting Tibetan life and culture. |
| Two UK travel companies are already advertising tours on this railway, oblivious to the effects this has on occupied Tibet. | |
| The Dalai Lama has been quoted ‘In general, a railway link is very useful in order to develop, but not when politically motivated to bring about demographic change’. | |
| Reports already point to structural problems due to the extreme conditions the railway has to face. | |
| To keep up-to date on this issue visit www.freetibet.org |
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