TYC HUNGER STRIKE RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM DIFFERENT QUARTERS
Update Press Release
Dated March 27, 1998.
The 18th day of the undo-death hunger strike of the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) draws to a close with no fatality, and with participants displaying remarkable determination. A constant stream of Tibetan and Indian well-wishers continue to visit the Tibetan hunger strikers.
Ven. Palden Gyaltso, one of Tibet's best-known former political prisoners met the hunger strikers on 26 March, en route Denmark. He applauded their spirit of sacrifice and said that he would speak about them during his talks in six European countries. He said that he and other Tibetans would not let their sacrifice go waste.
In the morning of 27 March, Kalon Sonam Topgyal and Kalon Tashi Wangdi, the Chairman of the Tibetan Cabinet and Minister of the Department of Home, respectively of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile in Dharamsala, visited the hunger strikers and offered ceremonial Scarfs (khatas). The two Ministers were accompanied by Mr. Namgyal Dorjee, Chairman of the Tibetan Public Service Commission.
Mr. Sunil Shastri, MP and son of Former Prime Minister Lal B. Shastri, met the hunger strikers yesterday and assured them that his party would talk with the Indian Prime Minister and give every possible support of their demands.
North India:
The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts cancelled the scheduled SHOTON FESTIVAL, which is to be participated by the members of TIPA and 163 opera performers from Mainpat, Bhandara, Orissa, Bylakuppe and Nepal. According to a press statement issued on 27th March by the TIPA, the opera groups have unanimously decided to cancel the FESTIVAL in a display of their solidarity to the hunger strikers, "who are sacrificing their today for Tibet's tomorrow".
Regional Tibetan Women's Association, Dharamsala is going to organise a solidarity hunger strike in Dharamsala to give their solidarity to the six Tibetans who are sitting on TYC Unto Death Hunger Strike in New Delhi.
South India :
Regional Tibetan Youth Congress ( RTYCs) Bylakuppe, Hunsur and Kollegal had started their Solidarity Token Hunger Strike of 24 Hours in Mysore City today at 01.00 P.M. In this hunger strike more than hundred volunteers are taking part in it. They have also came out with TYC Hunger strike statement in regional language of Karnataka so that they could get better support from the Indian public over there.
East India :
Tibetans living in Indian Metropolitan city Calcutta with the help of Indian supporters are going to organise solidarity token hunger strike in the city on Monday, the 30th March to give solidarity to the six volunteers who are sacrificing their life for the future of Tibet. There will be a series of talk given by Indian supporters to ask Indian and people of the world to support the demands of the TYC Unto Death Hunger Strike ongoing in New Delhi.
The United States:
On 20th March, the International Campaign for Tibet, Washington, D.C., sent an Action Alert to its 15,000-plus members to contact Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and ask her to raise the issue of Tibet forcefully at the UN and urge the US Ambassador in New Delhi to meet the hunger strikers.
The Capital Area Tibetan Association, Washington, D.C., stated that Tibetans and Tibet supporters in the Washington Metropolitan area will hold "a rally in front of the State Department on 30 March, 1998 from 12 noon to 2pm" to express their solidarity with the TYC hunger strikers in New Delhi.
The Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC) of New York and New Jersey started a sit-in hunger strike in yesterday in front of the UN headquarters. It pledged a financial help of Rs. 100,000 to the TYC (Centrex) towards the Expenses of the TYC's freedom movements.
Australia:
The ABC Radio ( Australia) on 27th March broadcast a report on the hunger strike. In an interview with the ABC, TYC President Tseten Norbu urged the Australian People to ask the Australian High Commissioner in New Delhi to visit the hunger strikers immediately to check on their health and welfare and convey the concern of the many Australians who support the Tibetans.
The Australian Tibet Council (ATC) wrote to Alexander Downer, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and said that the Tibetans were undertaking this fast because the rest of the world has ignored their plight for too long. Lamenting the decision of Western democracies, including Australia, not to sponsor a resolution on human rights abuses in Tibet and China at this year's session of the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva, the ATC urged the Australian government to support the Tibetan people's commitment to non-violence by pursuing the December 1997 recommendations of the International Commission of Jurists for resolving the Tibetan problem.
Geneva :
Governments and NGOs Continue to Speak Out on China and Tibet at the UN
Geneva, 26 March - Governments delegates and NGOs continued to raise their concern on the human rights situation in China and Tibet in their oral statements before the 54th UN Commission on Human Rights. On 23 March, Amnesty International criticised China for "extensively" using the death penalty while the Asian Cultural Forum for Development urged that China ratify of the two human rights Covenants without reservations.
Yesterday afternoon, Ambassador Bill Richardson, the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations in New York, speaking as a guest speaker, made lengthy remarks on the human rights situation in China and Tibet. With reference to Tibet, he said: "Ethnic Tibetans live under social and political controls threatening Tibet's unique cultural, religious and linguistic heritage."
The Amnesty International statement said: "China continues to use the death penalty extensively and Amnesty International believes many executions last year in China were after unfair trials, and that the death penalty was used for non-violent offences such as fraud, embezzlement and corruption." The Asian Cultural Forum for Development, speaking on behalf of over 200 NGOs in Asia-Pacific region told the Commission: "All Governments in Asia express reservations while ratifying the Covenants. Some like Bangladesh, Malaysia and China have not even ratified the major Covenants. We welcome the announcement of the Government of China to ratify the ICCPR. But, China's ratification of the ICCPR must be without reservation to have meaningful effect."
On 24 March, during a Asia-Pacific NGO meeting concern on the situation in Tibet and the launch of the Indefinite Tibetan Hunger Strike in New Delhi were raised. The Tibetan delegation to the Commission is now seeking NGOs support to the demands of the six hunger strikers.
Released by :
KARMA YESHI (Mr.)
Vice President, Tibetan Youth Congress, Dharamsala.
