Geneva, 10 December: On the occasion of the 58th International Human Rights Day on 10th December Tibetans and Tibet supporters staged peaceful protests at Geneva, Zurich, Basle and Ascona.
The Association Ticino-Tibet, Ticino has organized a panel discussion on “human rights in Tibet” in Ascona in collaboration with the Foundation of Monte Verità, Ascona. The round table discussion was moderated by Mr. Peter Splinter, Representative of Amnesty International to the United Nations, Geneva with the participation of speakers Mr. Claudio Tecchio, Solidarity Campaign with Tibetan People and Tenzin Samphel from Tibet Bureau, Geneva.
Mr. Claudio, a fervent human rights defender, spoke in length on situation of Chinese labour camps and also on issue of harvesting human organs in China.
Mr. Samphel gave a brief introduction on history of Tibet and then spoke on grave and systematic violations of human rights in Tibet particularly repression of religious freedom. Among others he calls on public to join Tibet campaigns including Beijing Olympics games scheduled in 2008 in order to bring changes in China’s human rights practices. The video footage on “Nangpa la Shooting” was also shown to public.
The main event in Geneva:
Over 500 Tibetans and Tibet supporters gathered in front of the Office of UN High Commission for Human Rights at Palais Wilson in Geneva to observe and also to draw attention on grave human rights violations in Tibet.
The rally with the main slogan “Tibet’s fate should not leave you unmoved!” began with prayers by monks of the Rikon Monastery and followed by speeches. Speakers included Mr. Carlo Sommaruga, member of the Swiss Parliament; Mr. Sonam Monkhar, member of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile and also representatives from the Swiss-Tibetan Friendship Association, Tibetan Women’s Organisation in Switzerland and Tibetan Youth Association in Europe. All speakers expressed concerns on deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet, especially the fate of one of the youngest prisoners of conscience of the world, the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet, and also condemned the recent shooting by Chinese military border police against unarmed Tibetan refugees that killed a nun of 17 years old on the spot at Nangpa La Pass in September this year.
After the speeches, the organizers submitted a petition to Ms. Louise Arbour, chief of the UN High Commission for Human Rights with copies to H.E. Luis Alfonso De Alba, President of the United Nations Human Rights, Mrs Mc Dougall, UN Independent Expert on Minority Rights, Mr. Hu Jintao, President of the People’s Republic of China and the Swiss Federal Councillor Mrs Micheline Calmy-Rey, urging her to protect rights of Tibetans in Tibet and particularly ensure release of more than 30 Tibetans detained at the Nangpa la Pass.
The protestors holding banner entitled “China – dialogue with Dalai Lama” then marched peacefully towards the United Nations building.
On behalf of the organizing committee, Mr. Lobsang Gangshontsang, President of the TCSL, thanked everyone for their solidarity and supports for the just cause of Tibet. The rally was concluded with prayers and followed by the Tibetan National Anthem.
