SFT India Lobbies MPs to Take Action for Ngaba

SFT India’s Tenchoe and Jigdal are in New Delhi to lobby Members of the Indian Parliament to increase the pressure on China to end the military siege in Ngaba, eastern Tibet, and to release all those detained in recent weeks, including 300 monks from Kirti Monastery whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Video: Meeting with Indian MPs to highlight the situation in Ngaba

Meeting with Indian MPs to highlight the situation in Ngaba: Day 2

Chinese troops descended on Kiri Monastery in the days following the self-immolation of a 20-year-old monk, Phuntsok Jarutsang on March 16th, 2011 and continue to beat, detain and intimidate the monks and any Tibetan who dares to protest their repressive actions. Two elderly Tibetans died after being beaten by police for trying to stop the arrest of 300 monks at the monastery on the evening of April 21st.

Tibetans and their supporters worldwide are demanding world government’s immediately condemn China’s actions and call for a withdrawal of troops from the region and for international observers to be allowed into Ngaba.

TAKE ACTION: 10 Ways You Can Help Stop the Crackdown in Ngaba

Update on the Indian Parliament Lobby Effort:

In light of the recent crackdown in Ngaba, eastern Tibet, Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) – India has spearheaded an Indian Parliamentarian Lobby Effort. Yesterday and today we delivered appeal letters to Members of both houses of Parliament urging the Indian Government to press Beijing to immediately:

1. End the violent crackdown and repressive “patriotic re-education” campaign in Ngaba and withdraw troops from Kirti monastery and surrounding areas.

2. Unconditionally release all Tibetans arrested or imprisoned in Ngaba.

3. Allow an international and independent fact-finding mission to visit Kirti monastery in Ngaba, along with members of the foreign media.

4. Respect the right of Kirti monks to freely practice their religion and respect their right to movement.

“The situation in Ngaba is deteriorating as Chinese authorities continue their blatant violation of Tibetans’ human rights,” said Tenzin Choedon, National Director of Students for a Free Tibet – India. “Everyone we have met in the Indian Government is concerned about the dire situation in Ngaba and has expressed their solidarity with the Tibetan people.”

Over the course of 2 days, SFT – India’s delegation has met with senior parliamentarians from both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha including:

Shri Mohan Singh:
National Spokesperson of Samajwadi party
Hon’ Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha.
Mr. C.M. Chang: IAS (Rtd.)
Nagaland People’s Front
Hon’ Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha.

Chaudhary Ajit Singh:
President of Rashtriya Lok Dal
Hon’ Member of Parliament, Lok Sabya
former Union Minister of India

Shri Satyavrat Chaturvedi:
Hon’ Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
Former  minister in Madhya Pradesh Government
Former General Secretary and National Spokesperson of Congress

Shri Raghuvansh Prasad Singh:
Rashtriya Janata Dal
Hon’ Member of Parliament
Lok Sabha and former Union Minister of India.
Shri Raghuvansh raised Tibet’s independence during the last Parliament session in March, 2011.

“In the coming days, we will continue to visit people of influence here in New Delhi and appeal for their help in demanding the Chinese government end the military siege in Ngaba and release all those unjustly arrested,” said Tenzin Jigdal, Project Director of Students for a Free Tibet – India. “We also call on governments’ around the world to intervene before more innocent Tibetan lives are lost.”

SFT – India’s delegation will meet with Indian Parliamentarians in the coming days with the support of the Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Center. We will also be delivering appeal letters to various foreign missions in New Delhi.

Students Worldwide ‘Fast for Freedom’ in Solidarity with Tibetans in Ngaba

Students worldwide are engaging in a one-day solidarity fast as Chinese forces continue their violent assault on peaceful acts of protest in Ngaba, eastern Tibet. The ‘Fast for Freedom’ launched in Dharamsala, India on April 3rd and spread around the world on April 4th. Learn more about the fast and recent events in Ngaba.

View photos and read statements of support from students taking action in support for Tibetan students in Ngaba.

I am Participating in the Fast for Freedom because:

Zora Klinckova, 23, writes from the University of Economics in Prague:
I can’t only sit and watch what is happening. I care and I want to help!

Yangchen Lhamo, 24, writes from University of California, Berkeley:
I want to support the courageous actions of Tibetans in Ngaba and all over Tibet.

Bruce Woodward, 16, writes from West Deptford High School in the U.S.:
I believe that Tibet is NOT part of China and Tibetans need their freedom NOW! I want the world to be aware of Tibet as much as they are aware of the Middle Eastern Protests.

Rinchen Dolma writes from York University in Toronto, Canada:
I stand in solidarity with my sisters and brothers in Ngaba as their call for freedom and their act of resistance is one that I will always answer. Bhoe Gyalo!!!

Betsy Catlin, 20, writes from the New School in New York:
I wish to show solidarity with the Tibetan students in Ngaba in their struggle for freedom in Tibet.

Norzin Dolkar, 20, writes from Metro Heights Academy in Minneapolis:
I stand and shout out for tibet and the monk who lost his life for /tibet!!!

Chemi Banari, 24, University of Minnesota alumni writes:
I want to stand in solidarity with the students inside Tibet for their courageous actions.

Tenzin Nangsel, 21, writes from Hamline University in Minnesapolis, U.S.:
I support my people in Tibet for their courageous actions. I love my country and my people. FREE TIBET!

Olav Steenbeek, 17, writes from Jan van Egmond in Purmerend, the Netherlands:
I want to show the world and its inhabitants that I care for them, and I want to start by doing this.

Lodoe Laura, 20, writes from Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada:
I am Tibetan

Tenzin Sonam, 16, writes from Richfield High School in Minnesota, U.S.:
I am a Tibetan student that will forever stand along side with my brothers and sisters in Tibet for a movement that will bring us one step closer to freedom.

Gabriel Feinstein, 21, writes from Madison Area Technical College in Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.: I want to support my Tibetan brothers and sisters inside Tibet. Their suffering is our suffering…Bhod Rangzen

S. Swae-Shampine, 20, writes from University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. : I want to save Tibet.

Amanda Fagan, 18, writes from Indian River State College in Vero Beach, Florida, U.S.:  These people need freedom. They need people to spread awareness. They need outside pressure on China.

Jessica Scott Brecon ,23, writes from the U.K.: I have grown up in Nepal and Bhutan and have always supported the Tibetans in their struggle for freedom.

Yeshi Dolma, 24, writes from Oakton College in Chicago, Illinois. : I believe in justice and I am a Tibetan and Tibet has to be free.. free Tibet bod gyalo.

Astrid Schaap, 17,  writes from Jan Van Egmond in Pumerend, the Netherlands: We all deserve a better world, but we can’t do it alone. We need to help each other as much as possible.

Tenzin Tsegyal writes from Madison, Wisconsin.: I am a believer of justice and equality and mostly because I am Tibetan.

Thomas KM, 32, from New York, U.S. : I want to help the people around me to become more aware of the struggles in Tibet and how important I believe it is to try to support Tibet in any way possible.

Katarzyna Gatineau, 26, writes from Poland Universite du Quebec en Outaouais in Canada: I stand for freedom and protection of the Tibetan Heritage.

Jen Cordell, 51, writes from Kailua, Hawaii, U.S. : The freedom of Tibet, the people of Tibet. Everyone is born free, should live free. No one should take that basic human right from anyone.

Lindsay, 24, writes from the U.S.: I have supported Tibetan freedom for my entire life (literally). I did not realize the fast had started on my birthday, or I would have been fasting with Tibetans this entire time.

Emi Kamemoto, 20, writes from George Washington University in Washington D.C., USA: I do this for my Tibetan friends. I do this for my Chinese friends. All living beings have the right to freedom. Freedom of speech, freedom of religious practice, freedom of education, and just freedom to express whatever you think. I would gladly give up food for a lifetime if I knew it could make the lives of those in Tibet and China better.

Annie Utley, 19, writes from New York University in New York City: I have been impacted by the struggle Tibetan’s face on a day to day basis for the past five years and any way I can possibly show my support and love for Tibet, I will do. Thank you SFT for reminding us never to give up, never stop fighting ( non- violently!) and never forget that small actions help to make a big difference.

Ben Redgrave,19, from New York University in New York City, NY, U.S.: In solidarity with all those suffering in Tibet.

Keep checking back as we add more moving statements from students worldwide

SFT Tendor’s March 10th Speech at United Nations

Update: Tibetans, Supporters Rally for Tibet in New York

Thousands of Tibetans and Tibet supporters take to the streets in New York to commemorate the 1959 Tibetan Uprising in Tibet. Click here to view live updates via twitter.

Tibetans and supporters rally in New York on the 52nd anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising.

Click here to view more photos from NY on the SFT Flickr.

SFT’s March 10th Press Release: Global Protests Mark Tibetan Uprising Day

STUDENTS FOR A FREE TIBET

For Immediate Release:
March 10th, 2011

Contact: Tenzin Dorjee, Executive Director, +1 646-724-0748
Kate Woznow, Deputy Director, +1 917-601-0069
Tenzin Dolkar, USA Director, +1 917-664-5530

GLOBAL PROTESTS MARK TIBETAN UPRISING DAY AS CHINESE FORCES CLAMPDOWN IN TIBET
New Generation of Tibetans Lead Nonviolent Resistance Movement in Tibet

New York – Thousands of Tibetans and Tibet supporters in dozens of countries will take to the streets today, March 10th, to commemorate the 1959 National Uprising when tens of thousands of Tibetans rose up to demand an end to China’s occupation. Chinese forces intensified security measures in Lhasa, Tibet’s capital in advance of the sensitive anniversary, barring foreign visitors and conducting late-night raids on hotels. In spite of China’s military stranglehold on their nation, a new generation of Tibetans is embracing nonviolent resistance tactics that defy Beijing’s authority, strengthen Tibetan identity, and inspire hope.

“50 years on, an entirely new generation of Tibetans – in Tibet and in exile – is rising up,” said Tenzin Dorjee, Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet. “Young Tibetans are taking leadership of our movement by engaging in bold political acts and expressing their desire for freedom through music, literature, and social media; this generation is determined to finish what began a half century ago.”

A homegrown grassroots movement has gained momentum in Tibet in the past year, as a growing number of Tibetans engage in simple yet powerful actions – speaking only in Tibetan, eating in Tibetan-owned restaurants – particularly on Wednesdays, a day believed to be auspicious for the Dalai Lama (1). Well-known Tibetan musicians and intellectuals have also been boldly asserting their political views, prompting Chinese authorities to ban popular songs and detain more than 60 Tibetan cultural figures.

“The recent uprisings in the Arab world, along with the growing dissent in China itself, has further galvanized a new generation of Tibetans committed to taking nonviolent action to end Chinese rule,” said Tenzin Dolkar, Students for a Free Tibet’s USA Director. “The Chinese government has tried – and failed – to crush the Tibetan spirit. As we see people around the world rising up for freedom and democracy, we know it is only a matter of time before change comes to Tibet and China.”

In advance of the sensitive anniversary, the Chinese government has heightened security measures in Tibet in an attempt to deter Tibetans from engaging in any form of dissent. Three years ago today, Tibetan monks marching for the release of fellow monks were violently stopped by Chinese forces, sparking the largest and most widespread demonstrations against Chinese rule in Tibet since 1959. Chinese troops have been permanently stationed throughout Tibet since.

“The Tibetan people’s struggle for freedom has long enjoyed the support of the global community and we urge our government leaders to follow suit by pressing China to commit to a just and lasting resolution for Tibet,” said Kate Woznow, Deputy Director of Students for a Free Tibet.

Tibetans and Tibet supporters in at least 100 cities worldwide today, including in the USA, Poland, UK, France, Germany, Canada, India, Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan, are demonstrating their support for the Tibetan freedom struggle through rallies, marches, candle light vigils, and government lobbying initiatives.

Note to Editor:

1) More information about the nonviolent resistance movement in Tibet can be found at http://www.Lhakar.org a website launched on March 9, 2011 by a diverse coalition of Tibetan writers, artists, and activists.

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