50th Uprising Anniversary in Hyderabad

UN Panel Orders Inquiry into China’s Repression in Tibet

UN Panel Orders Inquiry into China’s Repression in Tibet
Monday, November 24 2008 @ 08:03 am UTC
Geneva: A United Nations (UN) watchdog investigating torture has ordered a thorough and independent inquiry into China’s excessive use of force against peaceful Tibetan protestors particularly monks in Kardze county, Ngaba county, and the Tibetan capital of Lhasa.
The Chinese government violent clampdown on peaceful Tibetan protestors since 10 March this year in Tibet, left 218 Tibetans dead, 1290 injured and 6705 arrested or detained.
The UN Committee against Torture's forth-periodic review on China was held from 7 to 10 November in Geneva, Switzerland. In its concluding observations, the UN Committee against Torture issued a set of recommendations to China on 21 November.
The panel called for prompt, impartial and effective investigations into all allegations of torture and ill-treatment and should ensure that those responsible are prosecuted.
It asked the Chinese government to ensure that all Tibetan detainees should be provided prompt access to an independent lawyer and independent medical care and the right to lodge complaints in a confidential atmosphere, free from reprisal or harassment.
It ordered investigations or inquests into the deaths, including deaths in custody, of persons killed in the March 2008 events in the Tibetan Autonomous Region and neighbouring Tibetan prefectures and counties.
On the issue of enforced disappearance, the UN committee underlined the need to adopt all necessary measures to prohibit and prevent enforced disappearances, to shed light on the fate of missing persons, including Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, and prosecute and punish perpetrators, as this practice constitutes, per se, a violation of the Convention.
Outlining follow-up measures, the UN committee against torture said it invite Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Special Rapporteurs on Tibet.
The Committee of independent experts will review China's next report on the implementation of torture convention in November 2012.
During the current review prominent former political prisoners Phuntsok Nyidron had testified before the Committee. She was tortured during her 15 years imprisonment.
Mr. Li Baodong, head of the Chinese Government delegation at the UN, reported several amendment and new regulations introduced in China's legal system.
However, Mrs. Felice Gaer, the Committee Expert serving as Rapporteur for the reports of China and the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, expressed serious information gap in the delegation's responds. She particularly mentioned about the discrepancies between legislative protections against torture and their implementation on the ground. She expressed frustration at the lack of data on police actions against Tibetans. She held a booklet and said that it contained names of 817 Tibetans who had disappeared following the protests in Lhasa this year and demanded China provide information on their whereabouts. China stated that due to the State Secrets Law they were not able to provide details.
Ms. Gaer also demanded information on two religious figures Bishop Su Zhimin and Gendun Choekyi Nyima who had been missing or disappeared since May 1995.
In testifying before the Committee Mr. Li Baodong, said "We have zero tolerance for torture".
Mr. Li said that he has transmitted the details of the 817 Tibetans to relevant department for verification and assured to investigate on it.
However, he expressed difficulty in verifying over 200 people in the list due to inadequate information including identity number and proper address.
With regard to specific cases including the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, he said that he will refer back to Beijing for information.
reference http://www.tibetcustom.com/article.php/20081124080357146

Post Olympics Tibet

, Central University of Hyderabad.

Hyderabad Lights a candle for Tibet

At a time when Tibetan people and supporters of thr Tibetan cause gathered to light a candle for Tibet, Hyderabad too was on the move.
Students For A Free Tibet,as part of its festival of protests,with other Tibet support groups organised a candle light vigil at Indiira Park at 18.30 pm.
Tibetan people and local residents of Hyderabad gathered to condemn the illegal occupation of Tibet by the Chineese forces. Tying an orange ribbon on her hand, Tsamchoe, a research scholar at the Central University of Hyderabad and a member of Students for A Free Tibet commented that " all freedom loving people from diverse nationalities should unite to combat China's attrocites on Tibetan people".
Candle for Tibet did provide an oppurtunity for uniting people and was a spectacle, not to be missed,
After series of prayers and speeches, a 3 metre long candle was lighted by Dr. MN Rajesh, a specialist on Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan Studies.
The lighting of the candle was followed by Indian and Tibetan national Anthem. While people lit candles the place was filled with slogans like "Tibet ki Azaadi, Bharat ki Suraksha", "UNO we want justice" ,"One World, One Dream, Free Tibet". "Say Yes To Freedom In Tibet".

Certainly it was an evening to remember.

Join The Hyderabad Olympic Festival Of Protest

Take Action:Festival Of Protest

Thousands of Tibetans remain detained and missing as China prepares to host the Olympic games. Tibetans inside Tibet have risked everything to call for freedom and human rights. Join the festival of protest to show that Tibetan voices will not be silenced.

August 7th - 8th is the weekend of the Olympic opening ceremony and the start of our month long “Festival of Protest”.

Festival Details -

August 7 th-Free Tibet Rally and Candle Light Vigil
Venue- Goshala to Indira park
Time- 6.30pm

8th August-An evening for Tibet
Venue-Central University for Hyderabad Campus
Time-

Festival Coordinator-
Arnav Anjaria +919912569624
Email -sfthyderabad@gmail.com