World Tibet Network News Wednesday, April 08, 1998

Adama Dieng, the Secretary General of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), will come to New Delhi on April 11 and meet the President of TYC and the six Tibetan unto death hunger strikers at Jantar Mantar, who are demanding the UN implementation of the ICJ recommendations on Tibet.

Benjamin A. Gilman, member of US Congress and Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, wrote to the six hunger strikers and said that Congress "is taking the proper course of action to see that the issues raised in your demands are addressed."

Letter to TYC President from the British High Commission:

In a letter to the President of TYC, the British High Commission in New Delhi said that the British government "shares your concerns about the human rights situation in Tibet and raises the issue with the Chinese authorities at every opportunity".

Eco-Tibet writes to UN Secretary General:

Eco-Tibet in France wrote to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to take immediate action on the demands. They also expressed deep concern over the fate of the six Tibetan hunger strikers and appreciated this non-violent approach to conflict resolution.

Lithuanian Parliamentary Group for Tibet writes to UN:

The Lithuanian Parliamentary Group for Relations with Tibet wrote to the UN Secretary General and the UN High Commission on Human Rights (UNHCHR) reminding them of the December 1997 report of the ICJ and urging them to implement the three recommendations made to the UN. The Parliamentary Group said it is worried that "six precious human lives will be lost if the UN continues to ignore the demands of the hunger strikers."

Norwegian Tibet Committee(NTC) and Tibetan Youth Association (TYA) in Norway carry out 24 hour hunger strike

NTC and TYA-Norway held a hunger strike in solidarity with the six Tibetans and to create awareness and support in Norway for taking action towards the UN, said Mrs. Namgyal Tsomo Vestre, Chairperson of the NTC. The hunger strikers received lots of support and signatures for a petition which is to be sent to the UN Secretary General.

Canada Tibet Committees in Montreal and Toronto write to Members of Parliament and to UN Secretary General:

Canada Tibet Committees in Montreal and Toronto wrote to members of Parliament and to the UN Secretary General and also to the Canadian High Commissioner in New Delhi requesting them to support the demands of the hunger strikers and to use their good offices to intervene on their behalf.

The office has been holding candle light vigils for the hunger strikers to publicly display support. Greg Foisie said, "I feel the hunger strikers are very courageous. Their dedication to the just Tibetan cause is an inspiration to everyone and a motivation to those of us like myself who are just learning about Tibet s situation".

Tibet Society of South Africa writes to President Nelson Mandela:

The Tibet Society of South Africa wrote to President Nelson Mandela to support the demands of the hunger strikers. Chairman Renato Palmi has had an interview on their local radio station bringing the hunger strikers situation to public attention.

Tibetan Association of New South Wales organises a candle light vigil:

The Tibetan Association of New South Wales and their friends held a candle light vigil at Circular Quay, Sydney, and prayed for the six hunger strikers.

Australian Senate passes resolution in support of hunger strikers:

The Australian Senate has unanimously passed the following resolution moved by Senator Bob Brown: "That the Senate expresses concern and sympathy for the Tibetan patriots who are on a hunger strike and facing death in India to draw international attention to the plight of their homeland." The resolution was supported by the Labor, Democrat, Greens and independent Senators. It was not supported by the Government Senators, although they did not vote against it.

Australia Tibet Council (ATC) calls on the Australian Government:

ATC has called on the Australian Government to raise the issue of Tibet as a matter of urgency at the United Nations, and also urged the UN Secretary General to implement the recommendation of the ICJ, including the appointment of a Special Rapporteur to investigate the human rights situation in Tibet.

Friends of Tibet (FOT) - New Zealand takes action:

FOT-NZ has written to their Foreign Minister explaining the situation and the demands of the hunger strikers. They asked for his support and to instruct the NZ Ambassador to India to visit the site and give them FOT-NZ's moral support from New Zealand.

Embassies of countries belonging to the European Union to meet in New Delhi:

The New Delhi embassies of countries belonging to the European Union will meet and discuss the demands of the six Tibetan hunger strikers.

Sonia Gandhi, President of All India Congress Committee expresses concern:

Sonia Gandhi, President of the All India Congress Committee, expressed her hope that the issue of Tibet "will get sorted out in a just and peaceful manner." In her letter to the TYC President, Mrs. Gandhi said, "I have been following the viewpoint of Tibetan organisations like yours and the steps they have been taking to express themselves in India and in the world community." She assured the TYC President that successive Indian governments have been fully aware of the Tibetan issue.

Representatives of Insaf Party visit the hunger strikers:

Representatives of the Insaf Party in Madya Pradesh came to Jantar Mantar today and expressed their support for the Tibetan people s cause.

TYC Puruwala completes 120 hour fast at Raj Ghat:

15 TYC members from Puruwala, Himachal Pradesh, completed their 120 hour fast at Raj Ghat. Ten members from TYC Solan replaced them in a chain fast in support of the unto death hunger strikers. The chain fast will go on until May 23rd, 1998.

Tibetan Women's Association (TWA) starts 36 hour fast in New Delhi:

To mark the 29th day of the unto death hunger strike 29 members of TWA started a 36 hour fast on Parliament Street today.

200 Tibetans from Dharamsala, Bir and Chauntra on 36 hour solidarity fast:

200 Tibetans from Dharamsala, Bir and Chauntra in Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, will end their 36 hour solidarity fast in front of the UN office in New Delhi. The group shouted slogans in support of the demands of the six unto death hunger strikers.

Mr. Karma Chophel and Ms. Dolma Gyari, Chairman and member respectively of the Tibetan Co-ordination Committee, met the director of the UN Information Centre and submitted memoranda to be forwarded to the Chair of the UN General Assembly and the UNHCHR. Thereafter, three representatives of Tibetans in Dharamsala and three of Tibetans in Bir and Chauntra submitted memoranda on behalf of their constituents.

Regional TYC - Shimla start cycle rally:

TYC-Shimla started a cycle rally from Shimla to Delhi on April 6th. They plan to reach Delhi on April 11th. The focus of the rally is to spread awareness about the unto death hunger strike.

Ladakh Himalayan Action Committee on Tibet (LHACT) start chain fast:

Five members of LHACT have started a chain fast in Leh from April 1st to 17th.

Tibetan Children s Village (TCV) students send letters of support:

TCV students have written letters to the six hunger strikers in Delhi. The following are excerpts:

"Never lose your courage. You are the six bravest among the Tibetans." - Tenzin Woezer, Standard Six

"We are unable to join you, but your patriotism is a fuel to light our sense of nationalism." - Namdol, Standard Nine

National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT) held 24 hour hunger strike:

The NDPT held a 24 hour hunger strike in Mcleod Ganj in which three hundred Tibetans participated. A candle light vigil as well as a signature campaign for a letter to the UN Secretary General were held.

International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) asks members to take action:

The leaders of the IUSY have asked their members to show their support of the hunger strikers through letters to the UNHCHR, the Chairman of the UN General Assembly, and the UN Secretary General. The IUSY is a world wide movement with 132 affiliated members in 100 countries of which TYC is one.

Released by:

Yangchen Dolkar (Mrs.)

General Secretary

Tibetan Youth Congress

Central Executive Committee Phone: 91-1892-21554

P.O. Mcleod Ganj - 176219 Fax: 91-1892-21849

Dharamsala, H.P., India Email: tyc@del2.vsnl.net.in

Contact in Delhi:

Tseten Norbu(Mr.) Phone: 09811163081

President Fax: 91-11-646-1914