World Tibet Network News Friday, April 10, 1998

April 9, 1998

"Your sufferings are also ours", message from Italian trade union workers:

The six hunger strikers have received a letter of solidarity from three Italian trade unions - CGIL, CISL and UIL declaring the support of their 10-million members. The trade unions said, " your sufferings are also ours".

U.S. Congressman Gilman takes further action:

The Chairman of the Committee on International Relations of the U.S. Congress Benjamin A. Gilman, wrote to the U.S. Ambassador to the UN Bill Richardson urging him to visit the hunger strikers during his upcoming trip to New Delhi. Congressman Gilman also urged Ambassador Richardson "to assure them that the United States will raise the issue of Tibet at the United Nations General Assembly."

Members of British All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet (BAPPGT) write to UNCHR Robinson and Chinese Embassy in London:

Members of the BAPPGT wrote to UN Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson expressing their wish to meet her and talk about the demands of the hunger strikers. The British Parliamentarians also wrote to the Chinese Embassy in London and said the Tibetans only seek discussions to resolve the problem of Tibet.

Written message from Presidents of Tibet support groups at the French Upper and Lower Houses:

On behalf of their constituents the Presidents of the Parliamentary Study Group on the Problems of Tibet of the National Assembly (Lower House) and the Parliamentarians Tibet Friends Association of the Senate (Upper House) "express their admiration at the courage and peaceful determination of the Tibetans. They assure their constant support to find at the earliest possible, a negotiated solution between His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace laureate and the Chinese authorities, so that the identity and the future of the Tibetan people are preserved." This message shows their continuing support since the "Appeal of the French Parliamentarians for Tibet" which gathered 343 signatures of deputies and senators in 1996.

Tibetan Community in Switzerland organizes demonstrations:

The Tibetan community in Switzerland staged a demonstration in front of the UNO, Geneva on April 2nd and 9th and will demonstrate from the 13th - 17th and on the 20th of April. Around 100 Tibetans have participated in the demonstrations. Press releases were sent to the media and petitions to the UN and foreign embassies representing in Switzerland to appeal for their support of the demands of the hunger strikers. In a message to the hunger strikers they said, "we would like to express our deep respect and appreciation for their noble determination and we are joining you from our heart to pray for achieving our common aim, "Freedom for Tibet".

Tibet Support Group of Slovenia writes to UN:

The Tibet Support Group of Slovenia wrote to the UN, asking for prompt action to resolve the issue of Tibet and save the lives of the hunger strikers.

Indian Core Group for Tibetan Cause (ICGTC) expresses support:

The Delhi-based ICGTC expressed support for the demands of the "fasting Tibetans" and urged the UN to act quickly and implement the recommendations on Tibet made by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ).

Adama Dieng, Secretary General of ICJ will meet the hunger strikers:

ICJ Secretary General, Mr. Adama Dieng, will meet the hunger strikers at Jantar Mantar, where he will address a press conference at 11 a.m.

Representatives of Tibetan Government-in-Exile, Dharamsala visit the hunger strikers:

Tashi Norbu of the Kashag Secretariat and Thubten Phuntsok of the Public Service Commission visited the six hunger strikers and expressed their appreciation of and gratitude for the sacrifice of the six Tibetans.

"Sacrifice of the six Tibetans will always be remembered and cherished":

The Tibetan community and the Swiss Tibetan Friendship Association in Switzerland told the TYC President that the sacrifice of the six Tibetans will always be remembered and cherished. The Mani Dharma Centre of Rikon, Switzerland is organising a prayer meeting for the hunger strikers.

Albert Einstein Institution writes to the UN:

A senior scholar at the Albert Einstein Institution, a nonprofit organization advancing the study and use of strategic nonviolent action in conflicts throughout the world, wrote to the UNCHR and UN Secretary General urging that the demands of the hunger strikers be met.

Southern California prayer rally for the six people dying to save Tibet:

A prayer rally was held in Long Beach California on Sunday April 5th, 1998, starting with outside a hall at the intersection of Carson and Los Coyotes.

Around fifty Tibet supporters, students and Tibetans marched and chanted Tibetan rally slogans down streets covered with banners and Tibetan flags. The day concluded with a pledge made by more Tibetans and supporters to observe the Southern California 24 Hour Chain Hunger Strike which started on March 31st and will continue through next week and with a commitment to keep going until the demands of the six hunger strikers are met by the UN. The following groups sponsored and supported the rally: Tibetan Association of Southern California, LMU Students for Free Tibet (SFT), UCLA SFT, Los Angeles Friends of Tibet (FOT), Pasadena FOT, San Diego FOT, World Artists for Tibet and Orange County FOT.

TIBETWestMichigan supports hunger strikers:

The TIBETWestMichigan mailing list members have faxed and written to the UN Secretary General urging him to support the demands of the hunger strikers.

Austrian daily newspaper, "KURIER" features full page article on Tibet:

The Austrian daily newspaper, "KURIER" had a full page article on Tibet, mentioning the hunger strike, entitled "Tibetan Hunger for Freedom". The article appeared in the April 6th issue. The reporter had accompanied the group with the Austrian Foreign Minister that had recently visited Tibet.

North Bay Active Campaign for Tibet (ACT) hold "An afternoon in Tibet":

On Sunday April 5th 250 people gathered in the town of Sonoma, California, for "An afternoon in Tibet", an event dedicated to the six hunger strikers and the six million Tibetans they represent. The event was coordinated by the North Bay - ACT, California. Chaksam-pa, the Tibetan Dance and Opera Company, and the children of the Tibetan Association of Northern California gave performances and answered questions. Afterwards the film Kundun was screened. The four hours of events generated an impressive and very moving rush to sign petition letters to the UN Secretary General and petition post cards to Clinton.

Misreporting:

They are misreported in some quarters as living on fruits or glucose. Tibetan Youth Congress would like to clarify that they are surviving only on lime water which is given to them twice a day, one in the morning and one in the evening.

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