Berkeley, CA, USA - San Francisco Bay Area Tibetans gathered on 24 October for a candlelight vigil in mourning of the four Tibetans who were executed by China on October 20 for their participation in last year’s Tibet unrest.

The San Francisco Team Tibet activists decry the execution as a violation of international human rights law.

Three of the young Tibetan men who were executed are: Lobsang Gyaltsen, age 27; Loyak, age 25; and Penkyi, age 21. A fourth unidentified Tibetan was also reportedly executed on the same day.

"These individuals were denied their basic legal rights, and their trials were not conducted in accordance with international judicial standards. Despite Chinese law providing that these cases should have been tried in open court, where independent observers should have attended, these four Tibetans have been prosecuted behind closed doors," announced Yangchen Lhamo, a board member of the organization Students for a Free Tibet.

These are the first known executions of Tibetans since 2003, and they signal an alarming escalation in the Chinese government's campaign to punish any Tibetan who dares to speak out against the Chinese rule, according to SF TEAM TIBET.

"Everyone should urge the U.S. government representatives to demand an immediate response and denounce this travesty of justice, and ask President Obama during his upcoming visit to China to raise the issue the his Chinese leadership," urged Tsering Dorjee, President of the San Francisco Regional Tibetan Youth Congress.

Wei Jingsheng, a well known Chinese Human Rights and Democracy activist and often referred to as "the leader for the opposition against the Chinese Communist dictatorship" was also present at this vigil. "I support the struggle of all people in China deserving of Human Rights and condemn the execution of the Tibetans by China,” said Wei Jingsheng.

"President Obama has declined to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama and has succumbed to the Chinese government's pressure...We must not beg him to meet his Holiness the Dalai Lama. Instead, we should say, 'Obama, don't go to China!'" declared Giovanni Vasallo, President of the Bay Area Friends of Tibet and Committee of 100 for Tibet.

Vasallo explained, "That will make a statement and get progress for human rights and democracy in China and Tibet."

"Yes, we can certainly make a difference if we all raise our voices in unison. As such, we must join in solidarity with those who cannot speak and continue to suffer under the repressive Chinese government," advised Kunchok Tashi, Vice President of the Tibetan Association of Northern California.

SF TEAM TIBET has scheduled another protest to take place outside the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco this Friday, October 30, from 12pm-3pm.

A similar protest vigil was organized by the Tibetan Association of Southern California at the Chinese Consulate on October 26. Wei Jingsheng, Tibetan MP Yundung Gyaltsen and North America MP Tenzin Chonden were present at the gathering.

Members of the Tibetan Community and Chinese friends gathered at Chinese Consulate to protest the Execution of four Tibetans in Lhasa by the Chinese government. The protesters accused the Chinese government of unfair trial of the Tibetans, and held Beijing responsible for genocide in Tibet.

Wei Jingsheng expressed his support for the Tibetan people's fight against the Chinese government and also condemned in strongest terms the execution of the four Tibetans. The pro democracy activist and a student leader during the Tienanmen massacre said China needs to reform democratically and should pay sincere thought on the Tibetan government's proposal for genuine autonomy.

The Tibetans sang the Tibetan national anthem and said the prayer of truth (dentsik monlam) to pay respects to the executed Tibetans.

based on reports sent by the two organizations