- Title: INDIA: Protests mark Tibetan New Year
- Date: 23rd February 2012
- Summary: NEW DELHI, INDIA (FEBRUARY 22, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI - NO ACCESS BBC) VARIOUS OF PROTEST MARCH AGAINST CHINESE RULE IN TIBET/ DEMONSTRATORS WITH FLAGS AND BANNERS WOMEN PROTESTERS SHOUTING SLOGANS (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) ACHARYA YESHI, A PROTESTER, SAYING: "Today is the Tibetan New Year 2139. But we are not celebrating this New Year because of the serious and sensitive situation which is currently prevailing inside Tibet. We, Tibetans who are living outside Tibet, express our solidarity with those who are residing in Tibet. We want to ensure that we make the voice of those who are residing in Tibet heard by the world which should support those people. We also demand from the Chinese government that they should consider the prevailing situation and work towards amicably resolving it. This is our demand." CHANDIGARH, INDIA (FEBRUARY 22, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI - NO ACCESS BBC) POSTER WITH PHOTOGRAPHS READING 'CHINESE ARMY TORTURE TIBETANS IN TIBET' VARIOUS PHOTOGRAPHS ON THE POSTER PEOPLE AT MEETING LEGAL DIRECTOR OF THE REGIONAL TIBETAN YOUTH CONGRESS (RTYC), ARVIND THAKUR, SPEAKING TO THE MEETING VARIOUS OF AUDIENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) GELEK JAMYANG, PRESIDENT OF THE REGIONAL TIBETAN YOUTH CONGRESS (RTYC) UNIT OF CHANDIGARH, SAYING: "The situation in Tibet is very critical. And this time the situation in Tibet is deteriorating day by day. More than 100 people were arrested by the Chinese and there are many more whose whereabouts are still unknown. On this occasion we have three demands. First demand is to send reporters and investigators to Tibet. And second demand is the military presence in Tibet must withdraw immediately. And thirdly, the last demand is that China must respect the basic human rights in Tibet as well as in mainland China." TIBETAN FLAG PROTEST BANNER
- Embargoed: 9th March 2012 09:29
- Keywords:
- Location: India, India
- Country: India
- Topics: International Relations,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA5VS3FDZPGJ7O78BDX6O5B0UCX
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Tibetans and their supporters in India staged protests against Chinese rule as they marked the traditional New Year on Wednesday (February 22).
The traditional new year, or "Losar", is a combination of Buddhist ceremony and family celebration observed across the Tibet.
But this year, sadness has overshadowed the celebrations after at least 16 Tibetans are believed to have died after setting themselves on fire in protest since March.
At a demonstration in New Delhi, protester Acharya Yeshi, said: "We are not celebrating this New Year because of the serious and sensitive situation which is currently prevailing inside Tibet.
"We, Tibetans who are living outside Tibet, express our solidarity with those who are residing in Tibet. We want to ensure that we make the voice of those who are residing in Tibet heard by the world which should support those people."
In Chandigarh, Tibet supporters held a meeting at which Gelek Jamyang, head of the local Tibetan Youth Congress Unit said: "The situation in Tibet is very critical and .....deteriorating day by day.
"More than 100 people were arrested by the Chinese and there are many more whose whereabouts are still unknown."
China has ruled Tibet since 1950, when Communist troops marched in. It rejects criticism that it is eroding Tibetan culture and faith, saying its rule has ended serfdom and brought development to a backward region.
Chinese authorities have blamed supporters of the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader, for fomenting defiance, but he remains a revered figure among most Tibetans.
A possible flashpoint is looming on March 10, the anniversary of the 1959 uprising against Chinese rule that ended with the Dalai Lama fleeing into exile.
The Dalai Lama has blamed the self-immolations on "cultural genocide" by the Chinese, and has not directly called for them to stop. But he has long denied Chinese accusations that he incites violence and wants full-fledged independence. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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