Free Tibet 2008!
Posted by thefungus on March 25, 2008
One World, One Dream: Free Tibet 2008
The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games offer Tibetans and their supporters an unprecedented opportunity to draw attention to China’s occupation of Tibet. As the spotlight shines on Beijing we must pressure the Chinese government to FREE TIBET!
Tibetan protesters rally outside Swiss Olympics meeting
Times Colonist
Published: Tuesday, March 18, 2008
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, March 18, 2008 (AFP) – Hundreds of demonstrators gathered Tuesday at the seat of the International Olympic Committee in the Swiss city of Lausanne to denounce China’s crackdown in Tibet.
The demonstrators, many holding banners and Tibetan flags, arrived with a police escort. The procession was led by monks in traditional robes.
“Stop Killing in Tibet,” read one banner, while another said: “Mr Rogge, your silence kills Tibetans” – a plea to the president of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge.
One organiser put the number of demonstrators at around 500, while another said it was closer to 1,000.
Lausanne police put the number at around 450.
Despite the police presence, the demonstration was peaceful – in contrast to scenes in the eastern Swiss city of Zurich over the weekend when police fired tear gas at protestors calling for Tibet’s independence.
The demonstrators planned to hand a letter to the IOC urging them to break their silence on the unrest.
“We, the undersigned representatives of Tibetan organisations and support groups around the world, are writing to urgently request that the IOC make a public statement about the discrepancy between China’s promises to uphold human rights as an Olympic host, and its violent crackdown in Tibet over the last five days,” the letter said.
“We also urge you to immediately remove Tibet from the Beijing Olympic Torch relay route,” it added.
In a brief statement issued on Monday, the IOC said it had no plans to change the route of the Torch relay.
“The Olympic Torch Relay, which embodies the Olympic values of friendship, respect and excellence, is due to travel to Lhasa in June,” the IOC said.
“The Olympic Torch is a powerful symbol which inspires people from all over the world to overcome their differences and come together in mutual understanding in anticipation of the Games which it heralds,” it added.
But Swiss Olympic Committee president Joerg Schild said Sunday the credibility of the Olympic movement will be at stake if there is no official reaction to the recent crackdown.
“Whoever remains silent in the face of the latest events gives the impression that they do not care about the fate of the people in the host country,” Schild said in a statement.
Bernard Dupont said
China’s occupation of the peaceful land of Tibet has gone on too long already. It is time for them to leave, and STOP THE VIOLENCE AGAINST TIBETANS.
Free Whales said
It is interesting to see none of the EU countries as well as the Tibetan demonstrators condemning violent rioting, looting and arson happened in Lhasa. This “gives the impression that they do not care about the fate of the people in the host country”.:o)