World Tibet Network News Wednesday, April 22, 1998
(THE TIMES)
FROM CHRISTOPHER THOMAS IN DELHI
SIX Tibetan hunger strikers, lying on makeshift beds inside tents in Delhi, are close to death after 42 days without food. Doctors say that the weakest among them could die at any time.
They appear determined to kill themselves unless the United Nations agrees to three main demands: debating Tibet in the General Assembly; appointing a special rapporteur to investigate human rights violations; and naming a special envoy to monitor Tibetan affairs.
The Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, appeared close to tears when he visited the four men and two women, whose only relief from temperatures of well over 100F (38C) comes from a few feeble fans. They appealed to him not to order them to eat and, for the first time, he effectively gave permission to carry on. "I consider hunger strikes unto death a kind of violence," he said. "However, I cannot offer any suggestions for any alternative method."
The protest, being conducted on a pavement outside a central Delhi park, is organised by the Tibetan Youth Congress, which is frustrated by the failure of the Dalai Lama's "middle path" of negotiations and dialogue with China. While it would be almost unthinkable to defy the Dalai Lama, any attempt to halt the hunger strike could increase tensions within the movement.
The hunger strikers, aged 25 to 70, were barely strong enough to sit upright and lay either sleeping or staring through a fly net towards the many priests and supporters outside. One of them, Dawa Gyalpo, 50, who has a part share of a hotel in West Bengal, said in a whisper yesterday: "I am ready to die."
Like the others, he has taken nothing but water with lemon juice since March 10. They have goaded the UN into making two statements, including an appeal from Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General, to end the protest on humanitarian grounds. He noted that any decision on debating Tibet in the General Assembly rested with the member nations, not the UN.
Tsetan Norbu, president of the youth congress, said the action would increase the patriotism of Tibetans. "We wanted to do something that would become part of Tibetan history. It will be an example to future generations."
The affair is embarrassing to India, which is seeking to improve relations with China. The organisers fear that the authorities may force-feed the hunger strikers.