Tibetans and Japanese Supporters Highlight Human Rights Situation in TibetSaturday, 5 December 2009, 9:15 a.m.
Tokyo: Tibetan
and Japanese supporters participated in a peace rally on Saturday to
draw the world’s attention to deteriorating human rights situation in
Tibet. The participants passed through the busy Shinjuku street
carrying colourful Tibetan and Japanese flags and placards. Tibet
Koryukai, a Tibet support group and the Tibetan community in Japan
jointly organised the event. Leaflets on Tibet issue were distributed
to the passer by, many clapped and nodded in support and agreement.The
participants gathered at Shinjuku Kashiwagi Park from where the march
started. Ms. Asano, the Representative of Tibet Koryukai said that the
purpose of the gathering and the march was to draw the attention of the
world to the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet. Mr.
Kalsang, the chairman of Tibetan community in Japan appealed for the
Japanese people’s support in highlighting the human rights violation
and repression in Tibet.Joint Secretary of Liaison Office of
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mr. Tsewang Gyalpo Arya read the message
of the Office, in which the Representative Lhakpa Tshoko has thanked
the organisers for their effort in making the Tibet issue heard on this
year’s Human Rights Day. It also highlighted the grave and fearful
situation in which the Tibetans are living under Chinese regime, and
dwelt on the recent execution of four innocent Tibetans without any
fair trial.Mr. Tsewang thanked the participants for their
sincere support to Tibetan cause. He mentioned that Japanese
government’s position on human rights issue as reflected in its website
is very generous, in which it is mentioned that human rights violation
in any country cannot be construed as internal affairs, violators must
abide by the international norms. In this connection, he urged Mr.
Ozawa, the general secretary of the ruling parties who is visiting
China next week with the entourages of six hundred officials comprising
Members of Parliaments and officials to put this human rights principle
in practice by urging the Chinese leaders to resolve the Tibet issue.Mr.
Makino Seishu, Member of Parliament and Chairman of Japanese
Parliamentarian Group for Tibet has sent his message in support of
Tibet issue and thanked the organisers for their effort in making the
Tibet issue alive.The participants were mostly from Tokyo area,
but there are people who came from neighbouring states, some as far as
from Nagoya area for the event. In all there were more than hundred
Japanese and Tibetan. One of the major Japanese dailies and a few local
reporters covered the event. The participants expressed great
satisfaction in being able to participate in the event and promised
full support to the Tibet cause.The event is part of this year’s Human Rights Day.–Report filed by Tsewang Gyalpo Arya, Office of Tibet, Japan
