TWA marks the 59th International Human Rights Day.
Dharamsala: The Tibetan Women's Association, marks December 10th 2007, the 59th International Human Rights Day. Tibetan women worldwide are greatly concerned about Human Rights violations in Tibet. Tibetans have suffered under the brutal Communist Regime for the past five decades. Now with less than a year left for the Beijing Olympics, China has taken extreme measures to fulfill their quest to become a renowned world leader and to build their image as an ideal location for the international event.
As China prepares for the Beijing Olympics, Tibetans’ have experienced severe restrictions with regards to religious rights and freedom of expression. China continues to tighten its grip on religion within Tibet through its' policies and regulations. On September 1st 2007, China's State Administration of Religious Affairs (SARA) introduced the Order No. 5 that contained 14-article measures on reincarnation. The Order No. 5 serves to give the atheistic Chinese Government complete control over the appointment of religious leaders in Tibet. Tibetan Buddhists all over the world, including those in Tibet, will never accept this interference, into their religious affairs.
China continues to interfere with religion in Tibet; monks attempted to enthrone Tenzin Delek Rinpoche's portrait during a reception ceremony at Nalanda Thekchen Jangchup Choeling Monastery on July 18, 2007 in Lithang. Following the reception ceremony, O'dho and Apha Bhomo were arrested on the alleged charge of instigating others to support Tenzin Delek Rinpoche.
The destruction of Guru Rinpoche's two-story high statue in Purang County on August 29th 2007 is a clear indication that religious freedom is being ruthlessly crushed in Tibet. The local Tibetans financed the construction of the Guru's statue. As well, the co-founder of the statue, Khampa Lama, has been arrested.
A mass gathering of more than 10,000 Tibetans in Lithang demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Rongay Adak, who was arrested on August 1, 2007. Adak's crime in China was of expressing himself. Following his arrest, five others: Adruk Lupoe, Kunkhyen, Jare Lothok, Adruk Kalgyam and Jamyang Tenzin were also arrested on the alleged crime of "endangering national security" and "inciting to split the country". On November 20th 2007, a court in Dartsedo sentenced Rongay Adak to 8 years in prison after an unfair trial. Three others - Adruk Lupoe, Kunkhyen and Jare Lothok - were respectively sentenced to 10 years, 9 years and 3 years in prison without any trial. The whereabouts of Adruk Kalgyam and Jamyang Tenzin are not known.
Tibetans in Tibet were also barred from any celebrations on October 17th 2007 when His Holiness the Dalai Lama was conferred the Congressional Gold Medal award from the United States. Routine incursions into Tibetans' lives by the Chinese government and obvious discrimination against Tibetan people are not limited to the political arena. Recently, on November 20th 2007, in Driru County (Kham region), following a minor quarrel, three teenage monks - Dhondup Dorji (age 16), Yeshi Thokmey (age 15), and Tsering (age 14) - were beaten by Chinese shopkeepers. The Public Security Bureau (PSB) arrested the monks, and the sixteen-year-old, Dorji, was reportedly beaten severely and is currently hospitalized. The whereabouts of the other two monks are not known.
Tibetans in Tibet are relentless in their pursuit of basic human rights, and they have always demonstrated a strong commitment to non-violent means of protest. Chinese authorities on the other hand, have always resorted to brute force to suppress the Tibetans' call for freedom. Tibetans in Tibet and their actions are an important lesson to the Chinese regime that violent force can never stifle a person's wishes for freedom. Tibetans in exile salute the bravery of our brothers and sisters in Tibet. The Tibetan Women's Association calls upon UN Human Rights Committee to act against human rights violations in Tibet. The Tibetan Women's Association is one of the largest Non Governmental Organizations in exile, with 49 chapters and approximately 15,000 members worldwide.