New York – Thousands of Tibetans and supporters will rally and demonstrate at the United Nations and the Chinese Mission to the UN, followed by a march across 42nd Street to the Chinese Consulate today, in commemoration of Tibetan National Uprising Day. This year marks the 44th anniversary of the fateful day in 1959 when hundreds of thousands of Tibetans rose up in Tibet to protest the invasion by Mao’s People’s Liberation Army. The rallies will feature prominent guest speakers, such as Palden Gyatso, a Tibetan monk who spent 33 years in prison for Tibet for taking part in the 1959 uprising, and Dr. Robert Thurman, internationally renowned scholar of Tibetan Buddhism.
“The Chinese government claims to be modern and yet in Tibet they act like barbarians” said Karma Khedup, president of the Tibetan Community of NY/NJ. “China abducted the 6 year old Panchen Lama in 1995, and still refuses to reveal his whereabouts. Where is the new improved China we hear so much about?”
“In Tibet today, Buddhist nuns are tortured and raped and women are subjected to forced abortions,” added Tenzin Dharlo, General Secretary of the Tibetan Women’s Association. “We call on the United Nations to do something to end the suffering of the Tibetan people once and for all.”
Sonam Wangdu, Chair of the US Tibet Committee, called on the United Nations to exercise their responsibility to all people, including Tibetans. “The UN has adopted three separate resolutions on the question of Tibet, and yet no action has been taken thus far,” said Wangdu. “To be a relevant organization they must implement these resolutions.”
The rally at the UN will be concluded by a prayer ceremony and moment of silence in honor of Lobsang Dhondup, a Tibetan political prisoner who was executed by Chinese authorities after a secret trial in January. Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, a respected Buddhist leader, was sentenced to death at the same trial, marking significant deterioration of the human rights situation in Tibet.
“The execution of Lobsang Dhondup and the death sentence passed down to Tenzin Delek Rinpoche exemplify the Chinese government’s failure to uphold international standards,” remarked Jamyang Tseten, General Secretary of the Tibetan Youth Congress. “China promised the US that these two men would be tried by the Supreme Court and that the State Department would be kept informed of every step along the way. They broke this promise.”
Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) is involved in a massive grassroots campaign to urge the US government to hold their Chinese counterparts accountable for the execution and death sentences. They point to this case as proof that the US-China bilateral human rights dialogue is ineffective. SFT demands the immediate release of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and least 7 other political prisoners detained in connection to his case.
The March 10 commemoration is being organized by the Tibetan Community of NY/NJ, the Tibetan Youth Congress, the Tibetan Women’s Association, the US Tibet Committee and Students for a Free Tibet.
Contact:
Jamyang Tseten 917.783.4290
Lhadon Tethong 917.418.4181
