Protests by Tibetan Students Spread -Updated

Tibetans students protest in Lanzhou, March 2008

On March 16th, Radio Free Asia reported a large demonstration by Tibetan middle-school tudents in Machu County (Ch: Maqu), Amdo, Tibet which took place on March 14th. It was reported that 30 Tibetan middle school students called for the return of the Dalai Lama and Tibet’s independence. Following their detention over 500 Tibetans protested for their release at the local government office.

The Tibetan headmaster, along with his assistants and the head of the county Public Security Bureau, have since been fired following student protests in Machu. Read more here.

Reuters and the South China Morning Post also reported a similar protest by 20 Tibetan students in Tsoe (Ch: Hezuo), Amdo, Tibet. While it is known that the group was detained, no further details have been received.

It was later reported that protests by Tibetan students have occurred in Sangchu County, Labrang (Ch: Xiahe) in Amdo. At one school People’s Armed Police surrounded the students and forced them back into their school compound. About 20 students were detained and were later released after being interrogated.

A fresh report from Phayul.com states that more than 20 elementary school students in Driru County (Ch: Biru) in Kham held a protest on March 22nd. The students raised slogans like “Long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama’’, “Free Tibet”, “China out of Tibet” and “Let His Holiness the Dalai Lama come back to Tibet” during the protest. The protesters were later surrounded by Chinese security forces and their parents were held for interrogation.

An unconfirmed report of a small group of Tibetan students protesting at a predominantly Tibetan nationalities university in Neijiang, Sichuan Province on March 15th has also surfaced.

Take Action: Tell China to release all those detained

Timeline of students’ protests: