Sunday, April 27, 2008

Tibetan Solidarity Commitee Press Release

As per reliable information, on the night of April 19th, a large group of Chinese military raided Minthang Monastery in Chigdril County, Golog (TAP) and also conducted a thorough search inside monks’ quarters. They tore all the photos they could find of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and confiscated all their cameras. No monks were arrested during this incident. However, they arrested some fifty lay people out of whom 27 are lodged in Golok Chigdril Prison and the rest are detained at Minthang County.

On April 3rd night, nine Tibetans had been arrested from Dharlag County, Golog (TAP). These incidents of arbitrary arrests of Tibetans without valid reasons are being carried throughout Tibet. The Chinese authorities had announced that those Tibetans who had escaped into the surrounding hills and forests after taking part in protests would be pardoned if they surrendered and out of about 500 such people, only two had surrendered. The two who surrendered were beaten severely and put in Dharlag district jail. The rest of the Tibetans hiding out are demanding fact-finding delegation and media correspondents to Tibet in order to find out the real truth of the situation.

According to Chinese media, Tibet has been opened up for tourists since April 23rd but the fact is only Chinese have been allowed into Tibet.

On April 25th, the Chinese government announced they will talk to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s envoys. Simultaneously, PRC’s criticism of His Holiness the Dalai Lama continues to appear in Chinese newspapers and television. Even in the Chinese government offices, meetings are being organized to denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In the monastic institutions, people are being forced to denounce His Holiness through the so-called “patriotic re-education”.
In China, Tibetans who work in Beijing are being closely watched and questioned. There are also reports that relationship between the Tibetans and the Chinese have worsened and frequent conflicts took place. Some Tibetans had even been fired from their jobs due to pressure by the Chinese police.

In view of the critical situation in Tibet, we appeal the UN and international community of the urgent consideration of our following demands:

Immediately dispatch independent fact finding delegations to Tibet
Immediately allow free press to cover the whole of Tibet
Immediately end the brutal killings in the whole of Tibet
Immediately release all arrested and imprisoned Tibetans
Extend immediate medical assistance to the injured Tibetans
Allow free movement of people and provide access to daily needs
- Tibetan Solidarity Committee

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