World Tibet Network News Monday, April 06, 1998

(A Vigil was held outside the UN Information Office in London on 2 April by members of the Tibetan Community in Britain)

2 April 1998

His Excellency Kofi Annan

The General Secretary

United Nations Plaza

New York, NY - 10017

USA

Your Excellency,

I am writing to you on behalf of the Tibetan Community in Britain to express our deepest concern over the fate of six Tibetans, who have been on unto-death hunger strike in New Delhi, since 10 March 1998.

The hunger strikers are demanding the implementation of the latest International Commission of Jurists report on Tibet, which recommends

1) the resumption of UN debate on Tibet

2) appointment of a special rapporteur to investigate the human right

situation in Tibet

3) a special envoy to promote a peace settlement of the Tibetan issue and

4) initiate a UN-supervised plebiscite in Tibet.

China invaded Tibet in 1949 and since then the Tibetan people have been waging a non-violent struggle against the occupation of our country by China. Over 1.2 million Tibetans, one fifth of our nation's population have lost their lives due to the Chinese invasion. The continued influx of Chinese population into Tibet, threatens the very survival of our nation and Tibetan religion and culture is on the verge of extinction.

The hunger strikers are now in their fourth week. Therefore, we are making this very urgent appeal to you to act immediately and urgently on our demands.

Yours Sincerely,

Migmar Tsering

Campaign

Tibetan Community in Britain

57 Church Road

Croydon CR0 1SH