International Tibet Support Network (ITSN) Conference on Beijing 2008 Olympics Successfully Concludes
May 4, 2006: Dharamsala, India — Tibetans and their supporters from eight countries representing 14 organisations have today successfully concluded a four-day conference on campaign strategies surrounding the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
"We will use the run-up to the 2008 Games and the event itself to voice our protest against the Chinese occupation of Tibet," said Wangpo Tethong, Chair of the ITSN Olympics Campaign Working Group.
The participants, representing a diverse array of Tibet support groups and associations, have unanimously agreed to build pressure on the Chinese leadership and raise public awareness about the situation in occupied Tibet by using the Olympics as a platform to bring about fundamental changes in the political and human rights conditions there.
"There was an unprecedented level of cooperation and coordination between Tibetans and Tibet Support Groups (TSGs) from around the world at this meeting," Tethong added.
The ITSN Olympics Campaign Working Group (CWG) will continue to raise awareness of the situation inside Tibet in the run-up to the 2008 Olympics in the following ways:
- The CWG will assist major initiatives from Tibetan groups and TSGs that raise public awareness about ITSN's Olympics Campaign.
- The CWG will coordinate at least one global event that involves the broader general public in the Olympics campaign.
- The CWG will provide its support for a series of direct actions at key locations worldwide that have a significant Tibetan and/or TSG presence.
- The CWG assumes, based on information received, that a series of public protests by Tibetans and supporters will take place prior to Beijing 2008. The CWG encourages protesters to contact the CWG for advice on media work and legal issues.
For more information, contact:
Wangpo Tethong, ITSN
Tel. +91 9818868009
Passang Dolma, Tibetan Women's Association
Tel. +91 (0)1892 221527