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50 years of Chushi Gangdruk Commemorated in New
York City New York City, June 28 - Chushi Gangdruk, the first Tibetan organized voluntary resistance force to fight Communist China's occupation of Tibet commemorated its 50th anniversary at a function organized by the Dokham Chushi Gangdruk, New York at Club Sanm Hall, Astoria, New York City today where some of the founding members were honored. Chushi Gangdruk was the first organized resistance movement inside Tibet against the Communist Chinese forces. It was formally established on June 16 1958 and was responsible for providing safe passage to His Holiness the Dalai Lama into India in 1959. They regrouped later in Mustang Nepal, established a military base with American support and waged a guerrilla war against Chinese forces for 13 years but ultimately had to disband. However, the legacy of the organization has now been passed on to younger generations who continue to struggle and do their part in the Tibetan cause. Some of the surviving founding members of the organization were present at today's function to talk to the younger generation about the history and legacy of the organization. Other non Tibetan attending speakers were Wei Jinsheng, Chairman, Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition, Ms. Rayilaa, daughter of President of Uighur American Association, Dr. Wen Yen Chen, Executive Director, Formosa Association for Public Affairs and Temtsiltu Shobtsood, Chairman, Inner Mongolia People's Party. Drawopon Rinchen Tsering, one of the first founding members and former President of the organization was first to speak about the formation and history of Chushi Gangdruk under the leadership of Andruk Gonpo Tashi at Drukuthang, Lhoka, Tibet. He said, "Chushi Gangdruk was formed for the protection of sovereignty and religion of Tibet." Kongpo Thubten Dhargey, former Executive of Dokham Chushi Gangdruk speaking next said that he feels proud to see the younger generation take more involvement in the Tibetan issue. He also said, "It depends on Tibetans whether they want independence or not; all people of three regions of Tibet should be united". Other speakers Juchen Thubten Namgyal, Pema Chonjor, Kelsang Gyatotsang and Sonam Wangdu expressed similar views on Tibetan unity at this hour. Other non Tibetan speakers representing their nationalities also spoke strongly on their opposition to the Chinese Government and support for the independence of Tibet, East Turkistan (Xinjiang), Inner Mongolia and Taiwan. Jamyang Norbu, celebrated Tibetan writer also spoke on the occasion and said, "We should remember all the great people who have given up their lives for Tibet; Andruk Gonpo Tashi was a genius, we should think like him and adopt his strategies". The day concluded with awarding of the honor plague by President of Dokham Chushi Gandruk, New York , Doma Norbu to three surviving members Gyatso Kelsang, Kongpo Thubten Dhargey and Drawopon Rinchen Tsering and late founding President Andruk Gonpo Tashi was honored posthumously and received by his son Drakpa. Later in the evening a young Tibetan artist Namgya Yeshi launched his new album '6 Million' and also presented some of his Tibetan rap full with heavy political undertones.
http://www.allreelnews.com/international.html TIBETANS COMMEMORATE 100 DAYS OF PROTEST June 17, 2008, New York City: It is a testament to the resilience and persistence of the Tibetan people that every day since March, they have been protesting human rights abuses -- in Tibet, where such protest and even a call for freedom has lethal consequences, and around the world where they have been joined by supporters who echo their cries for freedom. Tibetan activists say the protests will continue long after the Olympics in China, until there is change. In New York City, across from the Chinese embassy, alongside the Hudson, every day, all day, the colorful red, yellow, white and blue Tibetan flags have waved and the loud and vigorous chanting has continued in defiance of the Chinese government. Even though the Olympic torch passed through Tibet, even though the Olympics will take place in China this summer, the Tibetans will not be deterred. They will continue to protest human rights abuses and continue to criticize the Chinese government, whose inhumane policies extend not only to China and Tibet, but to Burma, Sudan, Nepal and other areas of the world. On Tuesday, June 17, members of organizations like the Tibet Youth Congress, Students for a Free Tibet, Dhokham Chushi Gangdruk and their friends rallied at their standard post across from the Chinese embassy, then marched to the United Nations, then to the Chinese Mission on E. 34th Street. The pleas of the Tibetans remain strong and firm:"China, get out of Tibet." "Free Tibet now." "No freedom, no Olympics." "Allow media into Tibet." These are the sentiments of Tibetans in exile and their supporters in America and around the world. They have not changed and they are gathering momentum as August, the time of the Olympics in China, approaches. The Chinese government is at the same time intensifying its propaganda, say Tibetan activists like Maura Moynihan, who said she has been supporting the cause of Tibet for 35 years. Doma Norbu, leader of Dhokham Chushi Gangdruk, a New York-based Tibetan group, explained that "China has a very multi-layered, complex approach in Tibet, making sure that Westerners see only one reality, the reality that they want everyone to see." While buildings go up and economically things improve, the truth is, said Norbu, that the opportunities that the Chinese government extends to Tibetans are superficial. "They build schools in villages, then expect the poor villagers to pay to attend. Only a few can go. Most people cannot afford their education." Visitors may be fooled into thinking that all is well, when in fact it is not, she said. Norbu and others who have communicated with friends and family in Tibet affirm that the situation remains tense. "The Chinese military invade homes at all hours," said one Tibetan activist and leader. People are still being persecuted and detained. "Monks cannot return to their monasteries unless they denounce the Dalai Lama [their spiritual leader in exile]," he said. Despite almost 50 years of persecution and oppression by the Chinese government, the Tibetans continue to move forward with a hopeful spirit and agenda. One activist urged media to refuse to cover the Olympic Games until media is allowed into Tibet. Petitions continue to circulate via the Internet, asking people to support the cause, to sign in favor of boycotting the Olympics, to demand accountability from the Chinese. Recently, the Chinese government opened doors to media from Hong Kong and Taiwan into Tibet. All other media is still being denied access to the region. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Subject: Correspondence From Senator Lieberman Date: Tue, April
22, 2008 9:16 am To: dnorbu@chushigangdruk.org April 22, 2008 ________________________________________________________________________________________________
APPEAL LETTER SENT TO ALL 192 UNITED NATIONS MEMBER STATES
TIBET - AN URGENT APPEAL TO THE UNITED NATIONS Since the forceful occupation
of Tibet in 1949, The People's Republic Though long overdue, the time has come for the United Nations to open its eyes and take action by immediately sending a fact finding mission into Tibet with full media coverage. Through the eviction of tourists and journalists, China has completely sealed off Tibet from the rest of the world. By controlling the media, China now has free control over an unmonitored and brutal crackdown on the recent demonstrators demanding their freedom and independence of Tibet. A team of observers should be sent to Tibet immediately to oversee the so called 'trial process' of those demonstrators who have been arrested and ensure their unconditional release. (Preamble to the Declaration of Human Rights, Paragraph 3 states: "Whereas it is essential if a man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law). The Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his speech of 10th December 2007 on the Human Rights Day stated that: "it is our duty to ensure that these rights are a living reality-that they are known, understood and enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. It is often those who most need their human rights protected, who also need to be informed that the Declaration exists and that it exists for them". On the 3rd March 2008, the Secretary General remarked to the opening session of the Human Rights council in Geneva that: "You must respond to crises as they build up or unfold and address situations of concerns that are neglected or forgotten by the international community". Sadly, the United Nations has done nothing so far to ensure that these rights are a living reality in Tibet today. We are responding to his remarks requesting him to address the situation in Tibet urgently as the crisis worsens. Appeal To The Member States Of The United Nations We are requesting you to exert your privilege as member states to the United Nations despite the veto power of China, to take urgent action as the human rights of our brothers and sisters in Tibet are being severely violated. Only the solidarity of the member states who believe in the true meaning of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights can bring justice to the people of Tibet. Dhokham Chushi Gangdruk
______________________________________________________________________________________________ Statement at the Press conference on "The
Olympics and Human Rights in China" in the US Capital Building,
HC-5 on 9th April 2008 Since the forceful occupation of Tibet by Communist China in 1949, the Chinese authorities have unleashed their reign of terror in order to suppress the national and cultural identity of the Tibetan people. The recent uprisings by Tibetans inside all the three provinces of Tibet (Amdo,Kham & Utsang) are a reminder of the sufferings of the Tibetan people under the illegal Chinese occupation. This time, the world has chosen to hear them. The first uprisings began in Kham or Eastern Tibet
in 1952 and lasted for a decade. These led to the formation of
the first resistance movement inside Tibet known as the Chushi
Gangdruk under the leadership of Andrug Gompo Tashi. As many of
you may know that the CIA lent its support to the Chushi Gangdruk. The Olympic Games being held in China, has put the region under an international spotlight. This certainly is an opportune time for the world to recognize the tragedy of the Tibetan people and to lend its support. Apart from being a sporting event, the Olympics stands for the promotion of human dignity and world peace. By putting athletes in a common platform, the Olympics signify unity, inclusiveness and equality among all human beings. Sadly, China has not been able to fulfill any of these ideals. Since the 10th of March this year, there have been spontaneous protests and brave expressions of frustration against the Chinese occupation by the Tibetans living in Tibet. These protests have been dealt severely by the Chinese administration. It is estimated that over 150 Tibetans have been killed so far and over two thousand have been arrested. The uprisings in Tibet started off as peaceful protests by monks. There is evidence that the Chinese authorities instigated and abetted the surge of violence that followed. For example, as reported by the Epoch Times of 25th march 2008 Chinese policemen dressed as ethnic Tibetans brandishing swords with the intention of inciting protestors. Photographs of these protestors were then used by the Chinese authorities to show the outside world that these were solely violent acts directed against the Han Chinese living in Tibet. By evicting journalists and tourists, China has completely sealed off Tibet from the rest of the world. Unmonitored, China is free to exercise brutal punishment on those detained. As a face saving measure, China invited a few select journalists into Tibet to show the world that the situation in Tibet was back to normal and under control. However, a group of monks bravely interrupted their carefully monitored tour, refuting the claims of the Chinese government. The situation in Tibet today is far more horrific than the Chinese government want the world to believe. Even as we talk today, Tibetans in Tibet are still being terrorized and persecuted. The situation in Tibet is eerily similar today to that of the 1936 Summer Olympics, when Hitler's Nazi dictatorship camouflaged its anti-Semitic agenda by exploiting the Games to dazzle the world and create an image of a peaceful and tolerant Germany. China's pose of a peaceful Olympics comes at a great cost. Tibetans are severely persecuted in their own homeland. Carrying the Olympic torch through Tibet is a travesty and will serve to escalate the current tension, and give the Chinese authorities an excuse to further continue their violent clamp down. We appeal to all democratic nations and the media to take a proactive stance in uncovering the true situation in Tibet. We also urge the democratic nations and the media to continue its vigil inside Tibet even after the Olympics, as this would be the period when the Chinese authorities would unleash its harshest treatment to those Tibetans who took the courage to speak about their freedom. H.H. The Dalai Lama has said, _______________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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