Dear WFDA friends,

The recent brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrators in Tibet has made us all both sad and angry. Many partners around the region have taken actions or made statements in solidarity with the people of Tibet in their time of need, several of which are linked below (if we have missed your organization's news, please forgive us!).

Seconding these appeals, we uphold the full rights of the Tibetan people to decide their affairs peacefully, and demand that the Chinese government to immediately desist from all repressive acts and release all poltical prisoners in Tibet.

In solidarity,
WFDA Secretariat

Tibet

"Tibet becomes a killing field": An appeal from Mr. Tseten Norbu, Chairperson, Information Monitoring Committee, Tibetan Parliament in Exile

"On 10th of March, on the occasion of 49th Tibetan Uprising Day, the Tibetans in occupied Tibet took to the streets of Lhasa demonstrating peacefully with slogans like Free Tibet, Tibet Belongs to Tibetans, Long Live H. H. The Dalai Lama etc. The demonstration was initially led by the monks of Sera and Drepung. When the Chinese police tried to stop the demonstrators going to Jokhang Temple, the lay people - man and women- joined them in stopping the Chinese police arresting the monks. Thousands of the civilians joined the movement and the demonstrators were ruthlessly beaten, dragged and killed on the spot. In may parts of the city, indiscriminate shooting at the demonstrators took place and the death toll till today stands at 102. Unconfirmed estimate is between 200 to 300 death.

"The excessive use of force and the resulted killings set a chain reaction and demonstrations spread to different parts of occupied Tibet such as Dzigatse, Phenpo, Lhasa, Amdo Kirti Monastry, Machu, and Gansu. This has spread to small towns and villages as well.

"His Holiness the Dalai Lama has called upon the international community to send investigating delegation to find the abuses there terming it as Cultural Genocide. Kalon Tripa ( the Prime Minister/ government in Exile) and the Tibetan Parliament in Exile have also issued separate statements calling for international support.

"Our immediate concern is the safety and the wellbeing of the Tibetans living under Chinese occupation. As such we appeal to the International community to send fact finding delegations to investigate the excesses and abuse of Human Rights Situation there. We also call upon the United Nations to send a delegation and to intervene at this juncture by using their good office to prevail upon China to observe the Universality of the Human Rights that they have signed. The international community must urge the Chinese authority to stop the ongoing killings and respect the rights of the Tibetan People to demonstrate peacefully.

"We feel that it is time for the international community not only to issue statements but act upon by calling your own governments, parliaments and head of the governments to impress upon the Chinese government in this senseless killing of the Tibetans and to ensure their rights."

China

• The Overseas China Democracy Coalition, headed by Mr. Wei Jingsheng, issued a statement on 14 March, condeming the crackdown.
• Human Rights in China issued a statement on 14 March.

Indonesia

• Indonesians Solidarity for the People of Tibet, consisting of several Indonesian human rights organizations, issued a Press Release on 17 March, see attached document.

Taiwan

• A prayer vigil was held by Taiwan Friends of Tibet at the Democracy Square in Taipei on 17 March. See the BBC news coverage here

Vietnam

• Quê Me: Action for Democracy in Vietnam and the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights issued a statement on 15 March, condemning the crackdown. In addition, venerable Thich Quang Do, Deputy Leader of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam, issued a message of solidarity to the Dalai Lama and the people of Tibet.

Regional

• The Asian Human Rights Commission, based in Hong Kong, issued a statement on 17 March.
• Ten regional and international non-governmental organizations, including FORUM-ASIA, issued a statement on 17 March.

International

• Reporters sans frontieres issued a statement on 17 March, "China Crackdown on Tibet away from the eye of the media in new violation of Olympics pledge"
• The regional office of the International Federation of Journalists Asia - Pacific, issued a press release on 17 March, "Information Clampdown in Tibet Fuels IFJ Concerns for Safety"
• Olympic Watch issued a statement on 14 March about the crackdown in Tibet
• The International Commission of Jurists issued a statement on 18 March calling for an international investigation
• Freedom House issued a statement on 18 March condemning the crackdown

For the latest news about the ongoing situation inside Tibet,
seeTibet Centre for Human Rights and Democracy.