Últimas notícias do Tibete (em inglês)

A former chief of Rong Gonchen Monastery in critical condition

TCHRD[Friday, April 18, 2008 19:28]

A former chief of Rong Gonchen Monastery, Alak Khasutsang The Chinese authorities have stepped up an unprecedented repression in Rong Gonchen Monastery in Rebkong County (Ch: Tongren Xian), after yesterday's protest, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD). Rong Gonchen Monastery is an important Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Rebkong County, Malho (Ch: Huangnan) "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture", Qinghai Province. In light of the peaceful protest on 17 April by a group of 22 monks from Rong Gonchen in Rebkong County market, and arrests of over one hundred protesters in the afternoon, the situation has been tense and volatile following the crackdown by the Chinese security forces. According to fresh development of situation in Rong Gonchen Monastery in Rebkong, the Chinese authorities are not allowing anyone to meet the arrested Tibetans in detention centres. Multiple sources confirm that 80-year-old Alak Khasutsang, a former chief of Rong Gonchen Monastery, who tried to diffuse the tension between the Tibetan demonstrators and the Chinese security forces on 17 April has reportedly sustained severe head injury during the police crackdown and was said to be in a critical condition. He was also known to be suffering from a high blood pressure. One source reported that he was taken to a hospital in Xining City for treatment. However, there was no exact information about his current whereabouts. Geshe Tezin Choephel Another monk, Geshe Tenzin Choephel, 50 years old resident of Xining City and teacher of Qinghai University for Nationalities, who was in Rong Gonchen Monastery at the time of raid in the monastery on 17 April was known to have been arrested for unknown reason. There is no information on his whereabouts at the moment. Moreover, on 17 April, around 6 PM (Beijing Standard Time), scores of Chinese armed security forces raided monks' houses in Rong Gonchen Monastery. During the raid, the Chinese armed security forces forcibly flushed out the monks from their houses to the monastery's courtyard and were made to kneel down with hands behind their head. The Chinese security forces threatened the monks at gunpoint. In the raids, the Chinese security forces seized all photos of the Dalai Lama found in the monks' rooms. The sources also told TCHRD that a dozen of the Chinese security forces in full combat gear were armed with guns. The Rong Gonchen Monastery has been under a severe restriction, and the monks were isolated from each other without any form of interaction amongst them. Since yesterday, armed Chinese security forces have been keeping a close vigil in the monks' rooms. Sources say that at present, a severe restriction on the movement of monks is still continuing in Rong Gonchen Monastery. There is no information about exact number of monks arrested by the Chinese security forces. The Chinese authorities have issued terse warning to the monks about leaking the information to the outside world following the severe crackdown by the Chinese authorities. TCHRD expresses serious concern over the condition of the arrested monks and calls upon the authorities to immediately lift the restriction imposed in Rong Monastery

China's "unnecessary repressive measures" deteriorating situation in Tibet

Phayul[Friday, April 18, 2008 16:33] By Phurbu Thinley Dharamsala, April 18: Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-exile said unnecessary repressive measures and use of force by China on Tibetan peaceful demonstrations since March 10 are causing deterioration of situation in Tibet rather than restoring peace and normalcy. Tibetan PM Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche (R) during the press conference at the Lhakpa Tsering Memorial Hall of the Department of Information and International Relations, Friday, 18 April 2008, in Dharamshala, India. Also seen in the picture is Kalon Tsering Phuntso, Minister for Religion and Culture (Photo by Sangjey Kep / Tibetgov.net) Describing March 10 as a historic day for Tibetans, Tibetan PM Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche said, "Every year there is some kind of peaceful demonstration, which does not continue beyond that day." "But this year protests continued in the succeeding days due to unnecessary repressive measures and use of force," he said during an official press conference here today. "If the objective of using force by the Chinese authorities is to maintain peace and order in Tibet, they could have achieved it within a day. But normalcy did not return even after more than five weeks and more protests and repressive measures are happening day after day" he said. Coming up with a list of conspicuous "suspicious incidents", allegedly set up by Chinese authorities, Prof. Rinpoche said it "arouses the suspicion about the intentions of the Chinese authorities." Rinpoche said such acts "do not help in restoring mental peace and social order in Tibet. On the contrary, these acts are considered highly provocative by the Tibetans because they hurt them the most." "All these acts appear to be aimed to undermine the Tibetan people's tolerance and provoke them into violent retaliation. They also indicate that various agencies of the PRC have plans to carry out more bombing and other destructive activities and put the blame on the innocent Tibetans for such actions," he said. Saying there have been widespread protests in all areas of U-Tsang, Kham and Amdo, including in various cities of China where Tibetans live since March 10, Rinpoche said the protests were "outburst of dissatisfaction and deep-rooted resentment perpetuated in the hearts of the Tibetan people for the last five decades by excessive repression and mishandling of peaceful protests". According to him, the alleged ongoing repressive action such as brutal beatings, torture, killings, deprivation of essential foods and drinking water, which lead to the starvation of concerned Tibetans are the biggest concern of the Tibetan Government. Saying his government is "very much concerned that such repressive action may continue for many more months to come" Rinpoche said "the international community must intervene immediately and persuade the PRC authorities to end these atrocious acts" before the Chinese authorities destroy all evidence by executing the innocent Tibetans. The Tibetan PM also urged the international community to take "effective and immediate actions to prevent the PRC from indulging in such brutal acts against the Tibetan people and to stop their policy of systematic cultural genocide in Tibet". The Tibetan PM was accompanied by other members of his cabinet at the press conference. Tibetan NGOs resume March to Tibet Phayul[Friday, April 18, 2008 14:53] By Tenzin Chodon Marchers holding prayer at Rajgath. (Photo by Tenzin Dasel/Phayul.com) New Delhi, April 18 - 250 marchers are yet again embarking on a journey of a dream and a commitment. As part of the Tibetan People's Uprising Movement the March to Tibet resumed its promise made months ago to return to their homeland via Nainital in Uttranchal State. The marchers and the organizers gathered at Rajghat in the morning to pray for the well-being of the Tibetans inside Tibet as well as to herald their decision to recommence the march. They chose the Gandhi Samadhi as a symbol of peace and harmony that the place portrays and what they stand for. "We are very hopeful," said Tsewang Rinzin, President TYC addressing the media at Rajghat. "We are much more determined now because of the patriotism shown by Tibetans inside Tibet and the sacrifices that they have made. They are an inspiration to us." TYC President Tsewang Rinzin addressing the media at Rajghat. (Photo by Tenzin Dasel/Phayul.com) Talking about the struggle of a nation he elaborated that we always have to pay a price to achieve something. "Whatever we do in exile is nothing and now is the real time to show our Solidarity. The Tibetan marchers feel that they have a right to go back to their own country," he emphasized. "Our campaign has always been peaceful. We feel that we are political refugees and not causing any problem. We are completely peaceful and non-violent," he said. When the marchers go along the streets they do not shout slogans but walk peacefully with portraits of Gandhiji and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. "We hope that the Indian Government will respect that," he added. The organizers have prepared as much as they could. They have studied and played out all the scenarios and almost all the problems that could come in the way. They are excited to go on with their determination to carry on with the struggle. Their goal is to go back because they have a right to and as refugees in India they feel that Tibetans should be allowed a safe passage back. President of Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet Ven. Ngawang Woeber reiterating their resolve in the March explained that they would appeal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama if and when He instructs them to discontinue with the March. The March to Tibet began on the 10th of March from Dharamsala and reached Delhi on April 9 when it was put on a temporary hold due to the mutual consensus of the NGO's. The first group of 100 Core Marchers were arrested and put under judicial custody within four days of beginning the March. They were detained for 14 days. A second group of Tibetan exiles resumed the March two days after the arrest on 15th March. Both groups of Marchers were reunited in Chandigarh and walked to New Delhi together. The Marchers will resume their march as early as 5:00am tomorrow. They are confident of reaching the borders in the next two months.