PRESS STATEMENT
India receives “Tibetan Freedom Torch” with gusto; organizes 6kms run from Samantha Sthal to Jantar Mantar
LIGHT THE PASSION; SHARE THE DREAM, FREEDOM AND JUSTICE FOR TIBET
Delhi, 10 July: In August 2008, the eyes of the world will be focused on China as it hosts the 2008 Beijing Olympics. But when the opening ceremonies begin, one flag will be missing, the flag of Tibet, the country occupied by China since 1949.
Since March 10th 2008, Tibetans in Tibet have been voicing their deep rooted resentment against China’s rule of their country and demanding fundamental rights. Rather than taking the widespread peaceful demonstrations as an indication of the failure of their hardliners policies in Tibet, the Chinese government has responded with a brutal crackdown, killing more than 200 Tibetans and detaining thousands. The Chinese government began intensifying the “patriotic re-education” campaigns forcing Tibetans to express their love for the Communist regime and denounce H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama.
“The Chinese government is trying to use the Beijing 2008 Olympics to whitewash its atrocities in Tibet and its abysmal human rights record in China and abroad”, said Dr. N.K. Trikha, National Convener, Core Group for Tibetan Cause.
For Tibetans, the Olympics offer a rare opportunity to shine a spotlight on the Chinese government’s illegal, unjust occupation of Tibet for the past 50 years. It also highlights the importance of Tibet issue and for the Tibetans to show the Chinese leaders that the time has come to heed upon the Tibet problem with seriousness and resolve the matter without further delay.
“The Tibetan Freedom Torch symbolizes the hopes and aspirations of the Tibetan people for freedom and justice, and the commitment of people around the world to helping make this dream a reality”, said Dr. K.C. Agnihotri, National Co-Convener, Core Group for Tibetan Cause.
The torch has been traveling the globe starting from Olympia, Greece, on 10th March, 2008 and thereafter toured more than 50 cities across America, Canada, Mexico, Europe, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Uruguay before finally reaching India on the 9th July.
The current India leg of the torch starts from 10th July in Delhi and ends on 8th August 2008 in Ladakh. During this month-long tour, it will be received by Tibet Supporters in 28 different cities including capital cities of almost all the states in India.
For detail log on to: www.TibetanFreedomTorch.org
Released by: Core Group for Tibetan Cause
Contact:
Tsering Dorjee, Coordinator, Core Group for Tibetan Cause: +91 931 328 2225
Tsering Choedup, Coordinator, ITSN: +91 941 822 1605