Fresh Tibet Protests on Torch Route

A press release from the home office…

FRESH TIBET PROTESTS BREAK OUT NEAR OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY ROUTE
Nepal authorizes deadly force against torch protesters; activists call for cancellation of Tibet relay leg

New York – Tibetans and supporters are reiterating their call for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to withdraw all Tibetan areas from the Olympic torch relay route in the wake of fresh protests in Tibet, and threats from the Nepalese government to use deadly force against protesters.

On Thursday, Chinese forces beat and detained at least 100 Tibetans from Rebkong County (Ch: Tongren Xian) who were demonstrating for the release of monks and other protesters who have been held since a Tibetan uprising began last month. Rebkong is just one hour from Xining, where the Olympic torch is scheduled to arrive in June. Just two days later, the Nepalese government announced that it had authorized the use of deadly force to stop protests during the torch ascent of Mt. Everest, scheduled for May.

“The IOC is planning to parade the Olympic torch through the heart of one of the most restive regions in Tibet while Chinese authorities have promised to “harshly” repress Tibetans in order to assure a successful torch relay,” said Lhadon Tethong, Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet. “To allow the torch to go to Tibet right now would be the height of irresponsibility. The IOC must immediately do the right thing and remove Tibet from the Olympic torch route.”

According to eyewitness reports, on April 17th scores of Chinese forces in full riot gear raided Rong Gonchen Monastery, threatening monks at gunpoint for having photos of the Dalai Lama. Alak Khasutsang, an 80-year old monk and former abbot of Rong Gonchen Monastery, is in critical condition after being severely beaten by Chinese security forces. The situation in Rebkong County remains extremely tense and Chinese authorities have warned Tibetans not to relay information about the protest to the outside world.

The Nepalese government announced yesterday that it has authorized the use of deadly force to stop protests when the Olympic torch is carried to the top of Mount Everest in May. In April 2007, five Americans, including SFT’s deputy director Tenzin Dorjee, unfurled a large banner reading “One World, One Dream: Free Tibet” at the base camp of Mount Everest during a trial ascent of Beijing’s Olympic torch.

“That nations are authorizing the use of deadly force in order to facilitate the passage of the Olympic torch, is a clear sign that the situation has spiraled out of control, and a responsible organization in the position of the IOC would immediately cancel the torch run through Tibet,” Tethong added.

Tibetans have protested nearly everyday in Nepal since the Tibetan uprising started on March 10th. Nepalese police have used brutal and extreme force to stop protests and intimidate Tibetans. There are approximately 20,000 Tibetan refugees living in Nepal.

More information on the protests, including the photo below, are available from Phayul: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=20775

A former chief of Rong Gonchen Monastery, Alak Khasutsang