Concern grows over China’s crackdown on Tibetan protesters
Tibet Lhasa Protest. Warning: disturbing footage.
We strongly condemn the harsh crackdown on peaceful protesters in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa. According to eyewitness reports, on 11 March, Chinese police used teargas and electric prods to disperse 500 demonstrators, who were seeking the release of fellow monks held after the previous day's protests.
On 10 March, it was reported that 11 protesters, including nine monks, were severely beaten and detained outside Tsuklakhang cathedral in central Lhasa. They had been demonstrating to mark the 49th anniversary of the Dalai Lama's flight from Tibet after his failed rebellion against Chinese rule. Some 50 monks have also been detained across the capital.
"Demonstrators have a right to protest peacefully. China violates international human rights standards in denying their freedom of assembly and freedom of expression," said Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific Deputy Program Director Tim Parritt.
"Amnesty International condemns human rights abuses wherever they occur: on the streets of Beijing or the mountains of Tibet."
We call on China to release all those detained for peacefully exercising their rights immediately .
Comments
Zopa Gyatso | Posted on 15 March 2008, 10:46PM | Report comment
Make Tibet an autonomous region! Repression of thought, of freedom, of religious choice is inhumane and foolish. The human spirit cannot be enslaved. The actions of the PRC in Tibet diminishes the fine history of the Chinese nation. The world condemns the PRC for such pettiness. Already the PRC has spread Tibetan Buddhism throughout the world through trying to destroy Tibetan culture - for that humanity must be grateful. But now is the time for the PRC to act in an intelligent and magnanimous fashion befitting the Chinese people. Repression will backfire. Granting Tibet autonomous region status will earn enormous respect for China. The PRC must now choose - and live with the consequences.