Kathmandu protest against executions in Tibet
The ICT field team reports from Kathmandu that on the evening of October 26, hundreds of Tibetans in Nepal gathered in Boddhanath, the center of Tibetan cultural and religious activities in Kathmandu, to protest against the Chinese government’s recent execution of two Tibetan prisoners, Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak.
The two executions were confirmed by the Chinese government on October 23 and were the first known to have taken place in connection with events in Lhasa on March 14, 2008. Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak were condemned to death in April 2009 for allegedly “starting fatal fires.” Based on available information and common practice in Tibet, there is no reason to believe that the two men were given a fair trial, in spite of a statement by Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu who said, “I would like to point out that China’s judicial authorities handled the cases according to the law.”
Hundreds of Tibetans in Nepal gathered to offer prayers for the executed Tibetans and to call attention to the plight of others disappeared, imprisoned, and awaiting sentencing as a result of the unrest and demonstrations that have spread across the Tibetan plateau since March 2008.
Similar to most other Tibetan demonstrations in Kathmandu, this one was met with a heavy Nepalese police presence. Thankfully though, there was no clash between the groups, and the demonstration ended peacefully.
4 Responses to “Kathmandu protest against executions in Tibet”
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My heart goes out to those who are still imprisoned and tortured and who face an uncertain future! What the Chinese government is doing is outrageous, and the whole world is watching.
The citizens of the world who value human life and freedom of religion, are opposed to the execution of Tibetans by the Chinese government. They strongly condemn the suppression of freedom of religion for Tibetans. President Obama must take the lead to raise the world’s voice to expose the cruelty of China’s tyrannical behavior.
Tibetans have been bravely protesting outside the Chinese Consulate in the Hattisar district of Kathmandu for many months during the time of the Maoist government in Neapl. When the hack politicians took over the reign of Nepali government, Chinese pressure was brought to bear and the Tibetans were beaten and arrested. Now, Tibetans are uprising in the holy place of Bouddha and well they should given the outrageous conduct of the Chinese authorities in executing two Tibetans who were part of the uprising.
Tibetans have a strong right to protest against the repression in their homeland. They would much prefer to be back in a free Tibet than continue to be 2nd class citizens in Nepal. While it is a shame that the great stupa at Bouddhanath has to be the site of protest it must be recognized that this is a central gathering point for the entire Tibetan community.
These are Tibet’s darkest hours and those of us who consider ourselves allies of the Tibetan people certainly feel their anguish and despair as their freedom fighters become martyrs.
Rangzen! May a free Tibet arise from the ash heap of failed Chinese communist policies and may the Han community leave Tibet en masse for warmer, more hospitable climates.
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