Peaceful Tibetan protesters detained
Amnesty International today expressed concern over the detention of around 100 peaceful Tibetan protesters in the north of India who were attempting to march to the Indo-Chinese border to highlight human rights violations in Tibet and mark the 49th anniversary of the Dalai Lama's flight from Tibet after his failed rebellion against Chinese rule.
The protesters commenced their march from Dharamsala on 10 March. The Indian authorities later declared the march "illegal".
According to reports, the protesters are being detained in Dharamsala after being arrested in Jwalamukhi and sent back. Reports also indicated that 50 Tibetans were arrested for peacefully protesting in the Indian capital of Delhi.
"The demonstrators have a right to protest peacefully. The denial of their freedom of assembly and freedom of expression amounts to a violation of international human rights standards," said Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific Deputy Program Director Pia Oberoi.
Amnesty International calls on the Indian authorities to immediately release all those detained for peacefully exercising their human rights.
Comments
Catherine Schuetze | Posted on 20 March 2008, 01:36PM | Report comment
Having taken part in the March 10th Protest in Dharamsala, I marched along side these 100 Return to Tibet marchers. They are mostly monks and nuns and were peaceful and silent as they marched. They carried photos of Ghandi-Gi who the Tibetans honour and respect. To be arrested by Indians for emulating Ghandi-Ji’s great Ahimsa protests and marches in India 60 years ago seems somewhat hypocritical and sad. Come on India, You have supported Exile Tibetans for so long, recognise the Spirit of the Mahatma and release these political refugee prisoners so they can continue their Satyagraha protest against tyranical oppression.
B Dopheide | Posted on 20 March 2008, 11:35AM | Report comment
Boycott the Olympic Games in Beijing! It’s a way for everyone to peacefully protest.
Robyn Barnes | Posted on 17 March 2008, 08:33PM | Report comment
this is such a disturbing reaction to a peaceful Tibetan protest & i hope that governments around the world condemn such over reaction & can bring pressure to bare on Chinese Govt…that they won the privilege to stage ‘08 Olympic Games in Beijing shows a shocking lack of judgement by IOC, it’s about time that China was challenged over it’s appauling Human Rights record.