Dharamsala (AsiaNews) – Exiled Tibetans stand in solidarity with the Chinese democracy movement and express support for their demand for freedom, human rights and democracy in China. Tomorrow the Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement (TPUM) will commemorate through various initiatives 20 years since the massacre in Tiananmen Square where thousands of peaceful demonstrators were slaughtered by China’s army. A signature campaign will be organised during the day and a candlelight vigil in the evening.
For 4 June organisers urge all Tibetans around the world to dress in white as a sign of mourning for the victims of Tiananmen, as requested by Wan Dan, a key figure in the 1989 pro-democracy protests in China.
According to the TPUM China’s crackdown in 1989 is like that of March 2008 in Tibet when the army fired on demonstrators.
Since then human rights groups have slammed Beijing for killing more 200 people in last year’s crackdown in Tibet, for the thousands of arrests and unfair trials with sentences that include life in prison and the death penalty; among them, Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak, both ethnic Tibetans, who have been sentenced to death, something which could be any day now.
The group also noted that Tibetans are still protesting at present. Some 500 of them have blocked roads leading to Ser Ngul Lo, a sacred mountain in Markham County (Chamdo Prefecture), to stop mining which Chinese authorities have allowed.
More than 300 Chinese soldiers now patrol the area and the authorities have issued an order outlawing reporting on the matter.
Instead the TPUM wants Beijing to release all political prisoners held over Tiananmen as well as all Tibetans detained followed the incidents of 2008.
It reiterates its desire to work together with the people of China in favour of democracy and human rights. (NC)
