FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2007

Photos and video footage will be available at: http://blog.studentsforafreetibet.org/london/

Contact: Iona Liddell, Students for a Free Tibet, +44 (0)7500 3696 24
        Karma Churatsang, Tibetan Youth UK, +44 (0)7879 8712 02
        Lhadon Tethong, Students for a Free Tibet, +44 (0)776 66989 39

DARING BANNER HANG PROTESTS CHINA'S OLYMPIC TORCH
Tibet Activists call for "No Torch in Tibet"

London – Four Tibet independence activists were detained this morning after two activists abseiled off Westminster Bridge and unfurled a 74 square meter protest banner reading, "One World, One Dream: Free Tibet 2008," mocking China's Olympics slogan "One World, One Dream." The action took place on the eve of the controversial arrival of China's Olympic torch relay in London, amidst mounting pressure on the International Olympic Committee to remove all Tibetan areas from the relay route. Pema Yoko (25) of Greenwich, Conall Hon (26) originally from Belfast, Peter Speller (23) of Cambridge, and Dan Burston (22) of Birmingham were detained for their involvement in the action. Over a thousand Tibetans and supporters are expected in the streets of London tomorrow to condemn China's ongoing crackdown on freedom protests inside Tibet. Reports have just emerged from Tibet that on April 3rd Chinese paramilitary forces opened fire on a crowd of unarmed monks and laypeople in southeastern Tibet, killing at least 8 people.

"The Chinese government wants the British public to celebrate China at a moment when Tibetans are being gunned down by Chinese forces for doing nothing more than speaking out for freedom," said Pema Yoko, National Coordinator of Students for a Free Tibet UK, a British born Tibetan and one of the activists detained. "With Tibetans being rounded up, brutalized and killed, it is unconscionable for the International Olympic Committee to allow China to take the Olympic torch through Tibet."

Chinese authorities in Tibet have stated their intention to ensure stability during the torch relay 'at all costs,' which means increased militarization of Tibetan areas. According to the Chinese authorities' own figures, thousands of people have been detained in recent weeks, with speedy show trials promised before May 1st. China's attempt to politicize the London leg of the torch relay was heightened this week when China's ambassador to Britain, Fu Ying announced her participation in the relay. Also, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is scheduled to officially receive the torch at 10 Downing Street.

"It is appalling that Gordon Brown plans to receive the Olympic torch tomorrow. As someone with Chinese and British roots, I feel strongly that Britain must take a firm stance against China's abuses in Tibet," said Conall Hon, member of Students for a Free Tibet and one of the people to abseil off the bridge. "If the Chinese government wants acceptance from the international community, it must immediately stop its baseless attacks on the Dalai Lama and start working toward a meaningful solution to the Tibetan issue."

China's deadly attack on Tibetans in Tongkor Township (Karze County) in southeastern Tibet on April 3rd came after Chinese authorities detained two monks for possessing photos of the Dalai Lama following a raid by over 3,000-armed police at Tongkor monastery. The police opened fire on the crowd of over 700 people, nearly half of whom were monks, gathered to protest the arrests. All Tibetan areas remain closed off to independent media, but eyewitness reports from all across Tibet describe horrific beatings, suicide attempts by monks locked inside their monasteries, house-to-house searches, and large groups of Tibetans being boarded onto trains at Lhasa's new railway station. As the situation inside Tibet remains critical, several peaceful protests and actions are planned for tomorrow's relay here in London.
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Friday, 4 April 2008, 5:58 p.m.
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*Update for Friday, 4 April 2008, last updated 2pm (IST) Re: Tibet demonstrations* *4 April, 2008*

/Tight restrictions for foreign students at Tibet University (Lhasa)/

Following the aftermath of the March 14 demonstration in Lhasa till the end of March, foreign students of Tibet University studying Tibetan language were restricted from leaving their university campus.

For over a week their mobile phones, internet and other devices have been disconnected.

Since a few days ago, a new rule has been imposed where if the foreign students of the University need to leave the campus for purchasing personal items, then special permission needs to be obtained. A maximum of 1-2 hour permission is given for them to leave the campus.

*2 and 3 April*

*In Tongkor Township, Karze County, Karze (Ch: Ganzi) "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan Province *- /"Patriotic re-education" campaign continues; those not complying being arrested/

2 April 2008: Chinese "work-teams" arrived at various monasteries including Tongor monastery, Tongkor Township, in their attempt to give "patriotic re-education" classes.

Chinese "work-teams" also attempted a signature campaign to get people to denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama and refer to him as a "splittist." The monk in charge of the monastery, Lobsang Jamyang, openly rejected the campaign.

Yeshi Nyima, also a monk from Tongor monastery, stood up during a "patriotic re-education" session and shouted that the he would not provide his signature, even at the cost of his life. The other monks of the monastery also made the same statements.

3 April 2008: People's Armed Police (PAP) and Public Security Bureau (PSB) arrived at Tongkor monastery in response to yesterday's incident at the monastery.

The PAP and PSB conducted thorough searches of all the monk quarters and confiscated portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the spiritual head of the monastery. They also took away mobile hand-sets and money belonging to the monks.

Geshe Tsultrim Gyatso, a 70-year old monk who demanded that His Holiness the Dalai Lama's portrait not be taken down, was arrested and taken into custody.

Laypeople (living nearby Tongor monastery) held a protest in support of the monks at Tongor monastery. Tsultrim Phuntsok, a 26 year old man, was arrested during the protest.

Around 8 - 9 PM, loud gun shots were heard in the Tongor village area. Later it was confirmed that Nyima and Kabook (both monks from Tongor monastery) were severely injured from gunshots. Currently, we have no additional details on number of people injured or killed.

There are around 300 monks at Tongor monastery. However, since the incident at Tongor monastery only a few senior monks remain at the monastery. Currently, we have no information on the whereabouts of the other monks.

*2 April 2008*

*Bathang (Ch: Batang) County, Karze (Ch: Ganzi) "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province* - /China pressuring monks to denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama/

Chinese "work-teams" arrived at Ba-Chodae monastery, Bathang County. There, they attempted to collect signatures from the monks which would support Chinese allegations that His Holiness the Dalai Lama was responsible for inciting the recent demonstrations in Tibet.

Each of the 200 monks at the monastery refused to give into Chinese pressure by not providing their signatures. There were heated arguments between the monks and the "work-teams" leading to the arrest of five monks including the abbot of the monastery, Jigme Dorjee, and the Disciplinary in charge, Yeshi.

*Tawu (Ch: Daofu) County, Karze (Ch: Ganzi) "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province* - /Nuns hold prayer-march/

Around 10 AM, nuns from the nunnery (located on Ratroe hilltop) walked towards the crematorium (near the Tawu County headquarters) holding a prayer-march for those killed during the recent demonstrations in Tibet.

On their way, the nuns were stopped by the police resulting in a heated argument. However, the police were not able to stop the determined nuns.

Near the Tawu County headquarters' middle school, the nuns were stopped again when County officials backed by three trucks full of policemen arrived to stop the nuns from continuing their peaceful march. Students of the middle school and local people shouted slogans to support the nuns.

The nuns successfully completed their prayer march.

Nya-tso monastery monks who had initially planned to go on the prayer-march with the nuns, were pressured by Chinese police to not take part and instead were in restricted to stay in their monastery.

Friday, 4th April 2008, 7:00am

Tongkhu - Ganze (kanze)

* 10 killed and 74 injured by Open Machine Gun Fire on Peacful Protester.

*Small Town Tongkhu: Surrounded by more then 100 Army Truck and others military were hiding in surounding forest.

*22yrs old girl killed.

Thursday, 3 April 2008, 5:30 p.m.
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*Update for Thursday, April 3rd, 2008, last updated 2pm (IST) Re: Tibet demonstrations *

*April 2, 2008*

*Tawu (Ch: Daofu) County, Karze "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan Province- /Protest held/*

Monks from Nyatso monastery and laypeople (all from Tawu County) held a protest. No further details available.

*March 30, 2008*

*Chabcha (Ch: Gonghe) Township, Tsolho "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Qinghai province - /Students hold protest/*

Students from a Teachers Training School held a peaceful demonstration around 11:00 PM. No further details available.

*March 29, 2008*

*Jomda (Ch: Jiangda) County, Chamdo Prefecture "Tibet Autonomous Region," - /Messages being passed through posters/*

On street areas and walls near the Zigar monastery, many posters were pasted. Among many other things, some of the demands in the posters were calling for a Free Tibet and China to leave Tibet.

When news of the posters got to Chinese authorities, the military arrived at Zigar monastery to place restrictions.

*Sog (Ch: Sou) County, Nagchu Prefecture (Ch: Naqu Shen), "Tibet Autonomous Region" -/Monks arrested for protesting against "Patriotic re-education" classes/*

5 monks from Nyimaling monastery, Gyalchen Township, Sog County, who protested against Chinese "work-teams" giving "patriotic re-education" classes were arrested by the local police.

*March 28, 2008*

*Pasho (Ch: Basu) County, Chamdo Prefecture, "Tibet Autonomous Region," -/ Monk uses posters to express conditions in Tibet/*

Tsewang Dorjee, monk from Nera monastery, Pasho (Ch: Basu) County, posted many posters at multiple locations including the Pasho County governmental headquarters and also on big rocks (near Nera monastery).

On the posters, among many other things, he demanded more religious freedom in Tibet, Free Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet.

Tsewang Dorjee was arrested after he returned to the monastery.

*No Specific Date*

*Sog (Ch: Sou) County, Nagchu Prefecture (Ch: Naqu Shen), "Tibet Autonomous Region,"- /"Patriotic re-education" campaign continues/*

Chinese "work-teams" are forcefully giving Patriotic re-education classes in all monasteries and nunneries in Sog County.

Monks and nuns have been restricted from leaving their living quarters. Specifically in Sok Tsenden monastery and Ripung nunnery (both located in Sog County), very tight restrictions have been placed.

Around 16th and 17th March, business people, parents of students, and those seeking jobs in Lhasa and Nagchu County, were forcefully returned to their hometowns. For instance, in Yakla Town, Sog County, around 200 people were returned as a result.

The concerned offices in Sog County gave orders to the people that they cannot leave the county and participation in "patriotic re-education" classes would be mandatory. If the people leave outside their counties, then the benefits (such as household, land and agricultural) they receive from the government would be stopped.

*Gyalthang (Ch: Zhongdian), Dechen "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Yunnan province - /Huge military deployments continue/*

Starting from mid-March, over 10,000 Chinese military have been deployed in Gyalthang County, and tight restrictions continue to be imposed.

In Rongpa-Nyishar Township, Gyalthang County, around a thousand military personnel have been deployed. Local Tibetans distributed and pasted posters asking all Tibetans to unite and resist policies of the Chinese government and also demanded the immediate return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

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Update for Wednesday, 2nd April 2008

In addition to the already released 40 names and details of Tibetans killed during the recent demonstrations, we are releasing four more names (with details) from current death toll list which stands at over 140. They are:

China destroying evidence by cremating bodies of Tibetans killed during demonstrations

Since March 10, Tibetans have held demonstrations in all the three traditional provinces of Tibet with over a 140 people dying as a direct result of the suppression.

Many of the bodies of those who were shot and killed by the Chinese military and police during the demonstrations have been cremated by the Chinese and only their ashes were returned to their families.

Such an atrocious move has been made by the Chinese to get rid of any evidence of their wrongdoing.

Lhakpa Tsering was killed in Lu-ghug Street with a shot to his forehead during the demonstration in Lhasa on March 14, 2008. He was a resident of Lhasa, around 30 years of age and used to work as a tourist vehicle driver. He was born in Lhoka Prefecture.

The Pubic Security Bureau (PSB) forcefully took the body of Lhakpa Tsering from his family telling them that some investigations needed to be done at the Peoples Procuratorates. His body was later cremated in Toelung (west of Lhasa) and only his ashes were returned to his family in a plastic bag with his name written on it.

On March 24, Kunga (a monk from Chokri monastery) in Drakgo (Ch: Luhuo) County, Karze "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province, was shot and killed during a demonstration at Chokri Monastery. On March 25, his body was forcefully taken from Chokri monastery and cremated nearby. It can be inferred that such incidents, whereby the Chinese are trying to get rid of evidence by cremating the bodies of those killed during the demonstrations, have occurred many times since the start of the demonstrations in Tibet where the death toll now stands over 140.