Friends of Tibet (NZ) and the Tibetan Community in New Zealand For Immediate Release
9th March 2009

Standing In Solidarity With Tibetans In Tibet As China Issues Tighter Controls On Freedom

Friends of Tibet (NZ) and the Tibetan Community in New Zealand CALL ON Prime Minster John Key to Take Action On Tibet On The 50th Anniversary of The Tibetan National Uprising Day

In New Zealand – To mark the 50th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising
10th March 1959 against China’s illegal occupation of Tibet, Tibetans and supporters are demonstrating in solidarity with the people of Tibet who continue to resist China’s rule.

In New Zealand this important date is being marked with demonstrations, vigils, rallies, memorial services and a film screening. Similar activities are taking place in hundreds of other cities around the world to raise awareness of and celebrate Tibetan resistance.

Thuten Kesang, National Chairman of Friends of Tibet (NZ), a member of the International Tibet Support Network, said “We are here today to speak out for the Tibetan people in Tibet, who for more than half a century have lived under the iron fist of Chinese rule. That the occupation of Tibet has remained unresolved for so long is one of the great disgraces of the modern world.”

In the run up to this year’s anniversary, despite a massive military presence in Tibet, severe restrictions and the threat of imprisonment and torture, at least five protests have already broken out in Tibet involving hundreds of people, expressing their dissatisfaction with Chinese rule. In 2008 more than 100 overwhelmingly peaceful protests took place in over 50 locations across the Tibetan plateau following the 10th March anniversary. In the resulting crackdown over 100 Tibetans were killed, thousands detained and hundreds imprisoned. More than 1,300 still missing.

China invaded Tibet in 1949/50; the Chinese response to the Uprising in 1959 resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Tibetans and led to the Dalai Lama escaping into exile, where he has remained ever since. Tibetans have peacefully resisted the Chinese regime for 50 years, despite a constant military occupation in Tibet and conditions similar to martial law.

“We are calling on Mr Key to support the Tibetan people’s right to freedom” added Thuten Kesang. “Mr Key should publicly back the Dalai Lama’s initiatives at finding a peaceful solution to the occupation of Tibet.
It is time for the international community to act and ensure China ends its oppressive policies in Tibet. Fifty years of oppression is far too long.”

Notes

1. There will be vigils, protests outside Chinese Embassy and Consulate,
Peaceful protest marches, memorial services and a film screening on 10th March 2009 in New Zealand.

2. The International Tibet Support Network (ITSN) is a global coalition of Tibet related non-governmental organizations, which works to maximise the effectiveness of the worldwide Tibet movement. ITSN Member organisations hold varied positions on Tibet's future political status, but all regard Tibet as an occupied country and are dedicated to ending human rights violations in Tibet, and to working actively to restore the Tibetan people's right under international law to determine their own political, economic, social, religious, and cultural status.

3. For a map and summary of most of the protests in 2009 go to www.tibetnetwork.org/protests-2009

4. The Tibetan Government in Exile has reported that 219 Tibetans were killed and 1,294 were injured during protests in March 2008.

5. On 21 June 2008, China Daily reported that Chinese authorities had released 3,072 of the 4,434 persons detained between March 14 2008 and 9 April 2008. Analysis results released by the American Congressional Executive Commission on China (CECC) show that at least 1,200 Tibetans whereabouts remain unknown.

ENDS

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