Mr. Hu Jintao
President
People's Republic of China
C/O Embassy of
The People's Republic of China
50-D, Shantipath,
Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi -110021

Re: Appeal to favorably consider the demands of the TYC-led Indefinite Hunger Strike movement in Delhi. 

Your Excellency,

The Tibetan catastrophe began 50 years ago. Not only has there been no resolution to this conflict, the core of the Tibetan culture and identity remains under attack as vigorously as ever. The destruction of our monasteries, places of learning and traditional homes have long taken place, but today we see your government employing the tools of ethnic cleansing to an even greater extent, aimed at demographically assimilating the people of Tibet.

With the worsening of the law and order situation inside Tibet, the Chinese police and military have donned the mantle of state-owned rogues. Mr Manfred Nowak; UN Special Rapporteur on Torture; after concluding his fact-finding mission to China and Tibet in December 2005, stated that ‘torture remained widespread …’ and dismissed China’s methods of ‘re-education’ as measures which ‘strike at the very core of human rights to personal integrity, dignity and humanity’. Not only is there official apathy towards arrests and detention of Tibetans guilty of the crime of 'undermining state security', an exceedingly large number of patriotic Tibetans these days disappear under the cover of night, to be found murdered in the morning. The cold-blooded and criminal killings of innocent Tibetans at Nangpa pass in September 2006, carried out with deliberate casualness by the Chinese military, speaks for itself, clearly and resoundingly, about the hideous human rights situation inside Tibet, and why a growing number of Tibetans risk their lives trying to escape from Tibet.

Deeply concerned and frustrated over the continued sufferings of the Tibetan people and human rights violations in Tibet, the Tibetan Youth Congress is left with no option except to protest as strongly as possible. Therefore we will observe a series of relentless campaigns against the Chinese authoritarian rule in Tibet.  Starting from 8 July 2007, fourteen Tibetans will sit in indefinite hunger strike in Delhi, the capital city of India.  The hunger strikers have offered their precious lives to press the following demands of Tibetan people.

• Gendun Chokyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, has been missing since 1995.  The Chinese authorities have repeatedly stated that he is alive.  We demand concrete evidence that he is indeed alive.

• In 2005, Tulku Tenzin Delek was sentenced to life imprisonment on alleged charges of “endangering national security”.  Many other Tibetans have been imprisoned after engaging in political activity.  The Chinese authorities have claimed that these people were sentenced by fair judicial process.  We demand that the PRC produce convincing evidence that the judicial proceedings have taken place in a fair manner.  

• The PRC Government maintains the position that Tibetans enjoy human rights in Tibet, despite many reports of human rights violations, including freedom of religion.  We demand that the PRC produce concrete evidence that the human rights of Tibetans are respected in Tibet.

• China’s new railway lines in Tibet are causing a massive population influx of Han Chinese into Tibet, marginalization of native Tibetans, exploitation of natural resources, destruction of the environment, and eradication of Tibetan culture.  China's stated rationale for this railway is to bring economic prosperity to the Tibetan people.  We therefore demand that the PRC produce reliable evidence that the railway benefits Tibetans economically.

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed their aim to improve the human rights situation inside Tibet and China by giving Beijing an opportunity to host the Olympics.  We therefore demand that the IOC produce conclusive evidence that the human rights situation inside Tibet is acceptable.

On behalf of the fourteen hunger strikers I urge the leaders of People's Republic of China to give serious consideration to our cause and to act immediately to meet the demands of the indefinite hunger strike.  If the Tibetans on indefinite fast die without their demands realized, then the onus will be on the Chinese government.  If China fails to respond to the demands of the petitions before 7 August, the massive public gathering will demand that the Chinese government allow all Tibetans in exile to go into Tibet and witness its current state.  Until there is a satisfactory response from the PRC, the movement will continue. The PRC will be responsible for any eventually of the movement.

The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) is a worldwide organization of Tibetans united in the common struggle for the restoration of freedom in Tibet.  With more than 30,000 active members under 91 regional branches all around the globe, TYC is the largest, most active and the most conclusive mouthpiece of the Tibetans living inside and outside Tibet.  The TYC in its 37 years of existence has organized various significant and peaceful activities in the form of hunger strikes, demonstrations, signature campaigns, peace marches and other activities.

Sincerely,

Mr. Kalsang Phuntsok Godrukpa
President'
Tibetan Youth Congress (Centrex)

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Jacques Rogge
President
International Olympic Committee
Château de Vidy
1007 Lausanne
Switzerland

Re: Appeal to favorably consider the demands of the TYC-led Indefinite Hunger Strike movement in Delhi. 

Your Excellency,

In the run-up to the Beijing 2008 Olympics, much against the anticipation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the situation inside Tibet continues to remain tense and volatile, where Tibetans are undergoing all kinds of human rights violations under the repressive regime of the People's Republic of China. 

According to the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter, the Olympic Games “seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles and ... to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.” Therefore, the games, symbolizing the victory of humanity as a family, thrust a moral responsibility, not just on the sporting community, but also the entire world community, to promote the ideals of the Olympic movement. But the ideals of the Olympic movement were compromised for base commercial reasons when the IOC offered Beijing the honour to host the 2008 Olympic Games -- despite China holding the ‘worst human rights record’. 

Hu Jintao, the Chinese President, days after Beijing won the bid to host the 2008 Olympics, told reporters that it was “essential to fight strongly against separatist activities orchestrated by the Dalai Lama and anti-China forces around the world”. And; true to his words; China has welcomed with bloodied hands, the historic institution of the Olympics; which historically has striven to promote peace through sports; with more killings, more torture, more repression, more arbitrary detentions, more censorship -- the very reasons why China was previously denied the honour to host the Olympics for the year 2000. 

The Tibetan catastrophe began 50 years ago. Not only has there been no resolution to this conflict, the core of the Tibetan culture and identity remains under attack as vigorously as ever. Despite the collapse of communism worldwide, a Marxist assault on the religion of Tibet persists, backed by the full resources of a strong modern state. The destruction of our monasteries, places of learning and traditional homes have long taken place, but today we see China employing the tools of ethnic cleansing to an even greater extent, aimed at demographically assimilating the people of Tibet.

The much-hyped economic development in Tibet has a clear political motive.  Chinese officials, such as Politburo member, Li Ruihan, have publicly linked the issues of economic development and stability: "Expanding Tibet's economy is not a mere economic issue, but a major political issue that has a vital bearing on Tibet's social stability and progress.  This work not only helps Tibet, but is also related directly to the struggle against the Dalai Lama's splittist attempts."  Yet, rather than genuine development, the development program is focussed on resource extraction from the periphery for use in China's major economic urban powerhouses, such as Beijing, Shanghai and other coastal cities.

With the worsening of the law and order situation inside Tibet, the Chinese police and military have donned the mantle of state-owned rogues. Mr Manfred Nowak; UN Special Rapporteur on Torture; after concluding his fact-finding mission to China and Tibet in December 2005, stated that ‘torture remained widespread …’ and dismissed China’s methods of ‘re-education’ as measures which ‘strike at the very core of human rights to personal integrity, dignity and humanity’. Not only is there official apathy towards arrests and detention of Tibetans guilty of the crime of 'undermining state security', an exceedingly large number of patriotic Tibetans these days disappear under the cover of night, to be found murdered in the morning. The cold-blooded and criminal killings of innocent Tibetans at Nangpa pass in September 2006, carried out with deliberate casualness by the Chinese military, speaks for itself, clearly and resoundingly, about the hideous human rights situation inside Tibet, and why a growing number of Tibetans risk their lives trying to escape from Tibet.

Deeply concerned and frustrated over the continued sufferings of the Tibetan people and human rights violations in Tibet, the Tibetan Youth Congress is left with no option except to protest as strongly as possible. Therefore we will observe a series of relentless campaigns against the Chinese authoritarian rule in Tibet.  Starting from 8 July 2007, fourteen Tibetans will sit in indefinite hunger strike in Delhi, the capital city of India.  The hunger strikers have offered their precious lives to press the following demands of Tibetan people.

• Gendun Chokyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, has been missing since 1995.  The Chinese authorities have repeatedly stated that he is alive.  We demand concrete evidence that he is indeed alive.

• In 2005, Tulku Tenzin Delek was sentenced to life imprisonment on alleged charges of “endangering national security”.  Many other Tibetans have been imprisoned after engaging in political activity.  The Chinese authorities have claimed that these people were sentenced by fair judicial process.  We demand that the PRC produce convincing evidence that the judicial proceedings have taken place in a fair manner.  

• The PRC Government maintains the position that Tibetans enjoy human rights in Tibet, despite many reports of human rights violations, including freedom of religion.  We demand that the PRC produce concrete evidence that the human rights of Tibetans are respected in Tibet.

• China’s new railway lines in Tibet are causing a massive population influx of Han Chinese into Tibet, marginalization of native Tibetans, exploitation of natural resources, destruction of the environment, and eradication of Tibetan culture.  China's stated rationale for this railway is to bring economic prosperity to the Tibetan people.  We therefore demand that the PRC produce reliable evidence that the railway aids Tibetans economically.

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed their aim to improve the human rights situation inside Tibet and China by giving Beijing an opportunity to host the Olympics.  We therefore demand that the IOC produce conclusive evidence that the human rights situation inside Tibet is acceptable.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been sending the wrong message that the IOC supports authoritarian rule and brutal suppression. Here is the last opportunity to desist. The IOC should make China accountable for improvement of the human rights situation in Tibet. If it cannot do this, it should reconsider the decision and give the Olympics host status to a Civilized Nation.
 
On behalf of the fourteen hunger strikers, I urge International Olympic Committee (IOC) members to give serious consideration to our cause and to act immediately to 'produce conclusive evidence that the human rights situation inside Tibet is acceptable', and also to put intense pressure on the leaders of the People's Republic of China to meet the other demands of this hunger strike. If the Tibetans on indefinite fast die without the demands fulfilled, it will be a big setback to the principles of the Olympic Charter and to the spirit of the Olympics. 

The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) is a worldwide organization of Tibetans united in the common struggle for the restoration of freedom in Tibet.  With more than 30,000 active members under 91 regional branches all around the globe, TYC is the largest, most active and the most conclusive mouthpiece of the Tibetans living inside and outside Tibet.  The TYC in its 37 years of existence has organized various significant and peaceful activities in the form of hunger strikes, demonstrations, signature campaigns, peace marches and other activities.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr. Kalsang Phuntsok Godrukpa
President
Tibetan Youth Congress (Centrex)

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Mr. Ban Ki-Moon
The Secretary General
United Nations Organization
United Nation Plaza
New York - NY 10017
USA

Re: Appeal to put intense pressure on People's Republic of China to consider the demands of TYC-led Indefinite Hunger Strike movement in Delhi. 

Your Excellency,

In the run-up to the Beijing 2008 Olympics, much against the anticipation of the International community, the situation inside Tibet continues to remain tense and volatile, where Tibetans are undergoing all kinds of human rights violations under the repressive regime of the People's Republic of  China. 

It is now fifty seven years since the invasion of our country, Tibet, after which China ominously colonized Tibet.  Till now, not only has there been no resolution to this conflict, the core of the Tibetan culture and identity remains under attack as vigorously as ever. Despite the collapse of communism worldwide, a Marxist assault on the religion of Tibet persists, backed by the full resources of a strong modern state. The destruction of our monasteries, places of learning and traditional homes have long taken place, but today we see China employing the tools of ethnic cleansing to an even greater extent, aimed at demographically assimilating the people of Tibet.

The much-hyped economic development in Tibet has a clear political motive.  Chinese officials, such as Politburo member, Li Ruihan, have publicly linked the issues of economic development and stability: "Expanding Tibet's economy is not a mere economic issue, but a major political issue that has a vital bearing on Tibet's social stability and progress.  This work not only helps Tibet, but is also related directly to the struggle against the Dalai Lama's splittist attempts."  Yet, rather than genuine development, the development program is focussed on resource extraction from the periphery for use in China's major economic urban powerhouses, such as Beijing, Shanghai and other coastal cities.

With the worsening of the law and order situation inside Tibet, the Chinese police and military have donned the mantle of state-owned rogues. Mr Manfred Nowak; UN Special Rapporteur on Torture; after concluding his fact-finding mission to China and Tibet in December 2005, stated that ‘torture remained widespread …’ and dismissed China’s methods of ‘re-education’ as measures which ‘strike at the very core of human rights to personal integrity, dignity and humanity’. Not only is there official apathy towards arrests and detention of Tibetans guilty of the crime of 'undermining state security', an exceedingly large number of patriotic Tibetans these days disappear under the cover of night, to be found murdered in the morning. The cold-blooded and criminal killings of innocent Tibetans at Nangpa pass in September 2006, carried out with deliberate casualness by the Chinese military, speaks for itself, clearly and resoundingly, about the hideous human rights situation inside Tibet, and why a growing number of Tibetans risk their lives trying to escape from Tibet.

Deeply concerned and frustrated over the continued sufferings of the Tibetan people and human rights violations in Tibet, the Tibetan Youth Congress is left with no option except to protest as strongly as possible. Therefore we will observe a series of relentless campaigns against the Chinese authoritarian rule in Tibet.  Starting from 8 July 2007, fourteen Tibetans will sit in indefinite hunger strike in Delhi, the capital city of India.  The hunger strikers have offered their precious lives to press the following demands of Tibetan people.

• Gendun Chokyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, has been missing since 1995.  The Chinese authorities have repeatedly stated that he is alive.  We demand concrete evidence that he is indeed alive.

• In 2005, Tulku Tenzin Delek was sentenced to life imprisonment on alleged charges of “endangering national security”.  Many other Tibetans have been imprisoned after engaging in political activity.  The Chinese authorities have claimed that these people were sentenced by fair judicial process.  We demand that the PRC produce convincing evidence that the judicial proceedings have taken place in a fair manner.  

• The PRC Government maintains the position that Tibetans enjoy human rights in Tibet, despite many reports of human rights violations, including freedom of religion.  We demand that the PRC produce concrete evidence that the human rights of Tibetans are respected in Tibet.

• China’s new railway lines in Tibet are causing a massive population influx of Han Chinese into Tibet, marginalization of native Tibetans, exploitation of natural resources, destruction of the environment, and eradication of Tibetan culture.  China's stated rationale for this railway is to bring economic prosperity to the Tibetan people.  We therefore demand that the PRC produce reliable evidence that the railway benefits Tibetans economically.

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed their aim to improve the human rights situation inside Tibet and China by giving Beijing an opportunity to host the Olympics.  We therefore demand that the IOC produce conclusive evidence that the human rights situation inside Tibet is acceptable.

On behalf of the fourteen hunger strikers, I urge United Nations to give serious consideration to our cause and to act immediately to put intense pressure on the leaders of the People's Republic of China to meet the demands of this hunger strike. If the Tibetans on indefinite fast die without the UN paying attention, it will be a great setback to the principles and declarations of the United Nations. I hope the United Nations will live upto it's commitments, principles and duties of looking after the issue of Tibet as it has done on numerous occasions in other parts of the world. 

The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) is a worldwide organization of Tibetans united in the common struggle for the restoration of freedom in Tibet.  With more than 30,000 active members under 91 regional branches all around the globe, TYC is the largest, most active and the most conclusive mouthpiece of the Tibetans living inside and outside Tibet.  The TYC in its 37 years of existence has organized various significant and peaceful activities in the form of hunger strikes, demonstrations, signature campaigns, peace marches and other activities.

With our highest esteem,

Mr. Kalsang Phuntsok Godrukpa
President
Tibetan Youth Congress (Centrex)

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