New York, April 7 – Today marks the sixth day of the Tibetan Youth Congress’s (TYC) indefinite hunger strike outside the United Nations headquarters. Ms. Dolma Choephel, Mr. Gyatso, and Mr. Sonam Wangdu have not eaten since Friday, April 2 and do not plan to until the United Nations meets their demands. The hunger strikers want the United Nations to re-open the debate on the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet, to appoint a special rapporteur to investigate religious and political freedom in Tibet, and to pressure China to release several high profile political prisoners, including Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, who was arrested two years ago today.
“Risking my life for my country is the only method I have left of persuading the United Nations to finally take action on Tibet,” said Sonam Wangdu, one of the hunger strikers, from a cot in Dag Hammersjkold Plaza (47th Street & 1st Avenue). “For decades, Tibetans have demonstrated, lobbied, written letters and had meetings to persuade various bodies of the United Nations to do something about the horrendous human rights situation in Tibet – but to no avail. I hope that this hunger strike will help the United Nations wake up to the reality that they must help Tibet before its too late.”
A demonstration for the release of imprisoned Buddhist lama Tenzin Delek Rinpoche will take place today at Dag Hammerskjold Plaza, where hundreds of Tibetans and supporters are expected to show their solidarity with the hunger strikers and their determination to see Tenzin Delek released. Some will also take part in a day-long fast.
“It will be a tragedy for Tibet and for the United Nations if our demands are not met and the hunger strikers die,” said Kalsang Phuntsok, President of the Tibetan Youth Congress. “All we are asking is for the United Nations to live up to its mandate and protect our people. Our actions may seem extreme but our suffering is nothing compared to that of our six million brothers and sisters inside Tibet.”
