Rights Groups Urged to Call on China to Exercise Restraint in Tibet’s Nyagchu CountyThursday, 17 December 2009, 3:11 p.m.updated: 18 December 2009, 10:16 a.m.
Dharamshala: The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile has appealed to human rights groups and supporters call on the Chinese government to exercise restraint and peacefully resolve the critical situation in Nyagchu County in Karze, Tibet.The Standing Committee of the Tibetan Parliament issued an appeal on Thursday, 17 December.Following is the full text of the appeal:
Recently a group of seven Tibetans hailing from Nyagchu County had gone to Chengdu to meet Tulku Tenzin Delek languishing in the city jail. The Tulku, a very popular Lama in eastern Tibet had been arrested and given a suspended death sentence in December 2002. This sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment on 26 January 2005. A worldwide movement for his release had been launched then by the Tibetans and human rights groups as the charge of a bomb blast against him was seen to be fabricated. The Chinese authorities instead of allowing them to meet with the prisoner, arrested and detained them. As a consequence, about 90 people from the same area converged at the district offices on 5th December 2009 and demanded that the 7 people be released as they were not protesting against the authorities but only trying to meet the Tulku. They also requested that the Tulku should be set free. According to reliable eyewitness accounts, a number of people from this second group were not only badly beaten up and arrested but their motorcycles were damaged. They could see not only the damaged vehicles and blood at the spot but have also given the names of the arrested persons. According to the latest information, 300 more Tibetans have gathered at the site and holding a peaceful vigil for the last three days requesting the authorities to release the Tulku and all the arrested persons. There is information that more Tibetans from distant areas are also proceeding towards the same place. The Chinese authorities are said to be rigid in their stand of not releasing anyone and threatening the Tibetans with the use of heavy firearms. We fear that a repeat of last year’s bloody massacre of peaceful protesters may take place. We therefore appeal to all Tibet-supporters, human rights groups and those who believe in non-violent action to urgently call upon the Chinese government to show restraint and resolve the matter peacefully, according to the local people.
