Richard Gere and US Ambassador to UN Visits the Hunger Strikers
April 13 – The TYC led Indefinite Hunger Strikers are on the twelveth consecutive days with their demands. Despite the heavy shower and wind, the three hunger strikers and more than three hundred supporters and well wishers assembled at the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, in front of the United Nations Headquarter, New York.
Mr. Richard Gere, a Hollywood film actor and a long time supporter of Tibet visited the hunger strikers and expressed his appreciation and support for their genuine cause and demands. “Tashi Delek. It’s a very happy day and a sad day at the same time. Its happy day for all the friends as we are comitted to a non-violence, who committed to truth and the brotherhood of all man and woman, of all races and nationalities. It’s a sad day when three people have to start a hunger strike for the inequalities of the problems and the disaster in their country, Tibet. In this world, when today, dominated by violence and terrorism, these three people non-violently taking upon themselves to highlight the worse situation continuing in Tibet. The demonstration from the heart of these people is highly organized by group is an expression of despair, expression that there is no other possibilities for Tibetans to have their stories heard in this world. And still they refuse to use the terrorism and usual tactics to have their stories in the newspaper all the time. It’s very important we support them because their cause is true. The points they bring up, including Tulku Tenzin Delek, who is condemned first to death, and then commuted for two years, of which point perhaps he will still be executed. There is no real justice, no monitoring and no evidence. It’s merely because he was helping Tibetan people building hospitals and schools. He was working outside Communist structure specifically for the welfare of the Tibetan people. He was chosen to be prosecuted and possibly be executed. It’s very important for the citizens of this world to know this and to do what we can to help Tulku Tenzin Delek and also to Panchen Lama who was about ten years ago kidnapped by the Chinese authorities. Many of the countries, including UN asked the Chinese authorities about his whereabouts, but still nothing come forth. We have no photographs, no testimony and no history, no….nothing. He and his family were abducted and now seem to be invisibly lost off the planet. The Chinese have not responded any inquiries about Panchen Lama. There is also a open questions on the UN resolution of 1959, 61 and 65. Especially, the resolution of 1961 which calls for self-determination for the Tibetan people to act upon. And then again, in this world, we are dealing so much with violence and terrorism, these people who are stressing their needs in terms of non-violence, we should be listening to. These are the people who we should be supporting in their drive for freedom and self-determination. The people of Tibet are considered the second citizens in their own country. The population transfer of Chinese into Tibet accelerated and now likely Tibetans in their own country are becoming minority. And now these three wonderful people have taken upon themselves to highlight their situation of Tibet. My own heart is very involved in this struggle and will continue to see Tibetans as individually and as a group as my brothers and sisters. Their fate is my fate”, said Mr. Gere.
Mr. Richard Gere, then called upon Ambassador Mr. Sichan Siv, United States Representative to Economic and Social Council of United Nations, who in 1991 introduced His Holiness the Dalai Lama to President Bush. Mr. Sichan Siv conveyed his wishes and solidarity. “ I am very honored to join Mr. Richard Gere here. I have great admiration and respect for the work he has done in terms of helping Buddhism and Tibetan community. We are very concerned about the situation in Tibet and that’s why United States has decided to introduce a resolution in the Commission of Human Rights in Geneva. The situation has back-slided a little bit in the past two years, that’s why we took the initiative of introducing a resolution. We also ask you all to support to pressure action in Geneva. As a person from South Asia (Combodia), I believe this rainy day as a blessing and your movement will bring a fruitful result and as a fellow Buddhist, I appreciate your non-violent activities of redeeming your country back from the Chinese power. I promise that we will work together to restore the situation in Tibet.”
Religious prayers were performed by the group of Tibetan Buddhist monks from Drepung Loseling monastery for the success and the fulfillment of the demands of the hunger strikers. Mr. Kalsang Phuntsok , President of the Tibetan Youth Congress thanked Mr. Richard Gere, Mr. Sichan Siv and the people for their continuous effort and support for Tibet. He also added “The three hunger strikers and determined and shows no signs of pain and sufferings despite remaining without food for the twelve consecutive days. Their determinations and courage are worth admiring because they are sacrificing their precious lives for the cause of six million Tibetans. They are the examples for the young generation Tibetans.” Mr. Kunga Thinley, President of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of New York and New Jersey said, “It’s a very critical and crucial time for the Tibetans. We should rise up and fight for our rights and just cause..”
Tibetans present at the Plaza shouted anti-Chinese slogans with waving their Tibetan national flags and banners. Ms. Dolma Choephel, Joint Secretary of the Tibetan Youth Congress and one of the three hunger strikers said, “I on behalf of Tibetans in and outside Tibet and also on behalf of my two colleques would like to thank Mr. Richard Gere and Ambassador Sichan Siv for taking a time to visit us out of their hectic schedule. We would like to call upon one of the biggest democratic country in this world, United States, United Nations and the member states of United Nations to look upon the matter of Tibet. We are longing for the freedom of Tibet and we, as a human being deserves freedom too.”
The supporters remained at the Plaza until the rest of the day chanting prayers and shouting slogans.
