Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Athlete’s for Tibet – Stand Up, Be Proud!

As the 2008 Olympic Games fast approaches the reality of Tibet and its plight deepens and I am left feeling increasingly ashamed of the muted response that the Tibetan cause has received from the leaders of government, political organisations and other sectors in my country, South Africa.

It really irks me as a young South African to note that after more than a decade into our new democracy so many South Africans have forgotten or conviniently ignore our nation's past, a past that will forever be stained by the tyranny and abomination of apartheid that dispicable system that at it's core sought to dehumanise our fellow countrymen simply because of the colour of their skins by denying their person, heritage and inherent rights.

I find it a disgrace that as a nation we can simply ignore the plight of people of suffer as we did, if not worse, and I am left wondering whether there is one athelete in South Africa with the courage and conviction to stand up, be proud and to raise his or her voice for another nation, one that has no voice, once that is crushed and oppressed.

During the height of apartheid our country could not participate in sport due to sanctions sadly the strength of China as an economic partner will never see this country experience the same international segregation that our nation, I therefore call on all the South African athlete's especially those who will go to the Olympic Games to carry with them an appreciation for our own liberation as a nation, to remember the strength that sports holds in our country and in the rest of the world, and for them to stand up, be proud and make a difference.

PLEASE SUPPORT TIBET, PLEASE BE BRAVE - STAND UP, BE PROUD!

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

20 TIBETANS KILLED BY CHINESE FORCES IN NGABA, AMDO



New information and photos of the protests in Ngaba "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture" in the Tibetan province of Amdo on March 16th have been made available today by local sources. Click here to see photos. 20,000 Tibetans are reported to have joined the uprising in Ngaba.


20 Tibetans were reported dead following the crackdown by Chinese forces on March 16th; 9 have been confirmed and identified:


1. Tashi (27-year old male from Lhade Gongma Tsedrugtsang Village)

2. Tsezin Totsang (32-year old male from Thechung)



3. Lhundup Tsomo Jigjetsang, (17-year old student at Tibetan Middle School, from Ngoshu Village)


4. Atisha Gangwatsang (male from Denshu Village)


5. Norbu Phurwagoen (15-year old male, student at Tibetan Middle School, from Shanglung Village)


6. Butrang Dhargyetsang (female)


7. A Monk from Zamthang (monk in the photo)


8. Sangay (18-year old male from Raro Village)


9. Gyamtso Beize
















Monday, March 17, 2008

Use the media to further a Free Tibet

Dear Friends,

Many news stations around the world are allowing people the opportunity to comment on the current Tibetan crisis, one such new channel is Sky News (http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1309494,00.html#comments) where people can add comments! I am certain many other media bodies are doing the same, use this as an opportunity to show your support for the people of Tibet! Raise your voices, spread the word!

My post -

I am appalled at the response of the West on the Tibetan crisis. In fact the response of the West to China is similar to there response to Nazi Germany although China has commited far worse crimes! How can any civilised nation condone the genocide, forced abortions and countless human rights abuses that China continues to inflict on its minorities? Where are the emergency UN Security Council resolutions? Where are the boycotts of the Olympic Games? Does economic trade and foreign relations with China count more than the lives of fellow human beings? Tibet has and always will be an independent nation, the spirit of the Tibetan people cannot be broken by the brute force of an invader nation! Sadly, the Tibetan nation cannot count on the West, its fight does not bring oil or other spoils, this is the shame of those who continue to remain silent their greed is exposed! Long live Tibet, Long live the Dalai Lama!

LETS BE PROACTIVE NOW..

Thanks for your support and spread the word about Voice for Tibet.

Tashi Deleks

Darren

Sunday, March 16, 2008

YOU CAN HELP!!

Dear Friends,

As the attention of the world media is firmly focused on Tibet, I would like to petition you to raise your voice in support of a Free Tibet - you can help this noble cause - silence will only serve to further bolster the disgraceful actions of the Chinese government and its army.

"I am only one person, what exactly can I you do to help Tibet and its people?" - this is not an excuse, there are many international campaigns that have been launched simply supporting one would be a great start. Another option is to write or call your own public representatives and ask them to raise their voices in protest against the actions of the Chinese goverment in Tibet. Innocent people are being killed, we need to stop this senseless genocide of a peace-loving nation, a nation simply yearning to keep its own identity.

RAISE YOUR VOICES AS TIBET NEEDS YOU!

Thank you in advance for your support.

LONG LIVE TIBET, LONG LIVE THE DALAI LAMA!

Tashi Delegs

Darren Sutcliffe

Press Release from the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Press Release from the office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Contact: Chhime R. Chhoekyapa, Secretary, Mobile + 91 (09816021879)
Tenzin Taklha, Joint Secretary, Mobile + 91 (09816021813)

I am deeply concerned over the situation that has been developing in Tibet following peaceful protests in many parts of Tibet, including Lhasa, in recent days. These protests are a manifestation of the deep-rooted resentment of the Tibetan people under the present governance.

As I have always said, unity and stability under brute force is at best a temporary solution. It is unrealistic to expect unity and stability under such a rule and would therefore not be conducive to finding a peaceful and lasting solution.

I therefore appeal to the Chinese leadership to stop using force and address the long-simmering resentment of the Tibetan people through dialogue with the Tibetan people. I also urge my fellow Tibetans not to resort to violence.

The DALAI LAMA

Dated: March 14, 2008

(Sourced from http://www.tibet.net/ the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration.)

Latest Update: Inside Tibet

Update on Tibet demonstration
Sunday, 16 March 2008, 4:57 p.m.

16th March 2008: Reliable sources have confirmed that at least 80 people were killed on 14th March 2008 in Lhasa. One very reliable source has confirmed that many of the dead bodies have been stashed in front of a Public Security Department office in Lhasa.

16th March 2008: At 9:30am this morning at Kirti monastery (Amdo province) which has remain completely sealed off by Chinese military, over a thousand monks fled the tight security and were joined by another thousand layperson-protestors outside the Monastery compound. Tear gas was used on the demonstrators and gun shots were heard according to a reliable source. Unofficial reports have confirmed that at least one Tibetan has been shot and killed and a few others who were also shot remain in critical condition.

16th March 2008: Higher Chinese authorities have instructed Tibetan officials inside Tibet to not take part in any of the protests. Their movement has been restricted and they are required to sign in and out if they wish to leave outside their homes according to a reliable source.

15th March 2008: One reliable source has confirmed that a military truck full of dead bodies was seen being carried away towards Toelung county (under Lhasa municipality).

15th March 2008: In Lithang (in Karze, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan province) during two minor protests, at least two of the protestors were arrested and taken into custody as confirmed by a source.

15th March 2008: In Amdo, Labrang, from 5000-6000 people took part in a major protest. Among many other things, they were demanding for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
15th March 2008: In Phenpo Lhundup Dzong (under Lhasa municipality) there was a protest by monks and laypeople.15th March 2008: Gaden Monastery (about 50 kms east of Lhasa) remains under extremely strict Chinese military presence. The number of military personnel is so high that they are running out of tent space for their personnel.

15th March 2008: There was shooting inside the compounds of Tashi Lhunpo monastery (Shigatse) and at least 40 laypeople protesting behind the Tashi Lhunpo monasteries have been arrested as confirmed by one source.

15th March 2008: Over 500 people have been arrested in Lhasa alone; however the numbers are expected to be astoundingly larger since all those arrested are being taken to prisons all over Tibet.

15th March 2008: All media personnel (including foreign media) inside Tibet are being questioned and there are reports that their recorded materials (video footage, pictures) have been destroyed or confiscated.

11th March 2008: In Dabpa (Karze, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan province) we have confirmed reports that the three Tibetans shot by the Chinese Police were killed and at least ten people have been injured. Instructions were given to shoot at the protestors since they were believed by higher Chinese authorities to be engaging in "splittist activities."

(Sourced from http://www.tibet.net/ the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.)