[New Delhi: 5th Febuary, 2009]
Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) organized peaceful protest rallies at Jantar Mantar and in front of the United Nations office in New Delhi today to strongly condemn the re-launch of the 42 day winter "Strike Hard" campaign in Tibet by China. The sole objective of this campaign is to detain and torture Tibetans suspected of involvement in the March 2008 historic and peaceful uprising all over Tibet. This campaign also targets former political prisoners and aims to curb a repeat of the March 2008 historic uprising.

The morning protest rally started at 11:00 am at Jantar Mantar where protestors carried Tibetan National flags and banners demanding immediate withdrawal of the "Strike Hard" campaign. While addressing the gathering, Mr.Tenzin Norsang, Joint Secretary of TYC said that China has occupied Tibet for almost 50 years with rampant violation of human rights and continues to detain torture and execute Tibetans for peacefully protesting China's illegal occupation of Tibet. It is our responsibility to continue to be the voice for the voiceless inside Tibet. Mr Tsultrim Dorjee, Information Secretary of TYC strongly urged the Chinese Government to follow international norms in dealing with political prisoners and demanded for an immediate withdrawal of the"Strike Hard' campaign.

At the conclusion of protest rally at Jantar Mantar, protestors burnt the effigy of the Chinese President Hu Jintao and the flag of the People's Republic of China followed by a 5 minute silence to pay tribute to all Tibetan martyrs and 24 year old Pema Tsepak from Dzogang County in Chamdo who was tortured to death on January 23rd 2009 by Chinese Public Security Bureau.

Around 2 pm, TYC activists staged a peaceful protest outside the United Nations office to coincide with the visit of UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to India. The protestors shouted slogans and carried banners reading "Wake up United Nations" "Ban Ki Moon – Open your eyes". TYC executives Tenzin Norsang and Tsultrim Dorjee met with Mr. Rajiv Chandran National Information Officer of the United Nations and provided an in-depth report on the critical situation inside Tibet due to the implementation of the "Strike Hard" campaign. A memorandum addressed to Mr. Ban Ki Moon was submitted to urge China for an immediate and complete withdrawal of the "Strike Hard" campaign and pressure China to fully respect the human rights of the Tibetan people. TYC executives were assured that the memorandum will be given to Mr. Ban Ki Moon.
   
TYC also submitted memorandums to Indian Prime Minister's office and all foreign embassies in New Delhi to appeal for their support to pressure China for an immediate and complete withdrawal of the "Strike
Hard" campaign in Tibet.

Over 100 Tibetans from Delhi Samyeling, Budh Vihar, and South Delhi including members of RTYCs Samyeling and Rohini participated in the protests and it was covered by national and international media.