For Immediate Press Release
Consequences Befalling the Passing of the Olympic Torch through the Tibetan Plateau
According to international media, shortly after Chinese government
decided to carry the Olympic torch on the top of Mount Everest, they
took group of international media to the site and incidentally, the
second Olympic flame arrives in Tibet.
Authorities have placed immense restriction in areas of Tibet
where the torch route lies. Following a heavy deployment of Chinese
armies, many Tibetans have been arrested. In addition, each Tibetan
household has been forced to hoist Chinese national flag on the
rooftop. Chinese have also chosen few selective Tibetans to speak to
the international media as their spokes person and these speakers are
trained what to say and what not to say.
As previously stated in our press release, many Tibetans have
been killed and arrested due to Chinas brutal and violent suppression
of peaceful Tibetan demonstrators. Moreover, if the Olympic torch
passes through Tibet, it will undoubtedly be an immense insult and
disrespect to the Tibetans, who are enduring extreme repression, mental
and physical torture. It will be akin to adding salt to their wounds
which will deeply hurt their sentiments.
Jampa Phuntsok, Governor of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), in
his statement to foreign press on April 9 2008 said “I don’t doubt they
(Tibetans) will create trouble during the torch relay in Tibet.” He
further went on to warn that “We will without doubt deal with these
persons severely…. we will not be merciful.” From his statement, two
things are very clear:
1 The Chinese authorities are sure that protests will occur on that
occasion, and
2 They are equally determined to put down the protests most ruthlessly.
Therefore, the actual situation on the ground will be completely in
contradiction with the Olympic spirit. The Chinese government will
create such a strict and suffocating atmosphere that the Tibetans, who
are already under a martial law like condition, will suffer further
repression, subjugation and tension.
The Tibetan Parliament-in-exile and Central Tibetan
Administration has never opposed Beijing Olympic Games; however, in
complying with Olympic spirit and to prevent further direct losses of
precious human lives, we once again, urge International Olympic
Committee and related organizations to reconsider taking the Olympic
torch up to Mount Everest and inside Tibet. If direct lives are lost
due to IOCs failure to reconsider their stance, the IOC and related
organized will be the sole responsible.