China’s violent response to Peaceful Rally in Tibet condemned Thursday, 13 March 2008, 11:04 a.m.

A file photo of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Washington, DC: US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi strongly condemned in response to reports that Chinese armed forces have arrested, detained and fired tear gas on hundreds of Tibetan Buddhist monks, who held peaceful rallies near Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, on the occasion of 49th Tibetan National Uprising Day.

In a statement issued on 12 March 2008, the speaker termed the violent approach of the Chinese police forces as ‘disgraceful’.

The speaker called on the United States government and the international community to strongly condemn the violent act of Chinese government.

Ms Pelosi expressed concern over the reports of sightings of armoured vehicles of People’s Liberation Army heading towards Drepung monastery and hearing of gunshots and beatings from inside the monastery.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama urges China to halt its repressive policies of gross violations of human rights, denial of religious freedom and the politicisation of religious issues in Tibet (Photo: Sangjey Kep)

She demanded that the Chinese government should immediately provide information on the welfare and whereabouts of the detained Buddhist monks and facilitate access by international human rights monitors and journalists to Tibetan areas.

She stated: “The plight of the people of Tibet is a challenge to the conscience of the world and the United States must be prepared to confront the Chinese government when they violate the human rights of Tibetan people.”

The annual report on human rights situation released by the US State Department stated “the human rights situation in China and Tibet continues to worsen and the repression of religious freedom has increased.”

  (www.tibet.net is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.)