TYC Indefinite Hunger Strike Called Off

October 11, 2015July 31, 2023 admin Hunger strike campaign, Media, Press Release

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Tenzing Jigme +91-9882910291

Victory: TYC Indefinite Hunger Strike Called Off

Delhi Oct 11: On the 32nd day of the Indefinite Hunger Strike, Tibetan Youth Congress has called off the campaign after receiving assurance from the United Nations that they will address the demands of TYC. In a letter to TYC Hunger Strikers, UN Assistant Secretary General of the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner Ivan Simonovic requested the hunger strike to cease and assured TYC that the voices of the Tibetan people will be heard. He also stated that the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon expressed concern at the health of the hunger strikers. The letter was delivered to TYC by Yuri Afanasiev the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in India. TYC President Tenzing Jigme said, “this is a huge victory for the Tibetan people.” He added that, “the power of non-violence methods of resistance and the fact that when we come together and fight for our country as one – we win, is evident from this victory.”

TYC launched the Indefinite Hunger Strike on Sept 10 and three TYC executives Vice President Tamdin Hrichoe, Finance Secretary Tenzin Wangchuk, Information and International Relations Secretary Tsewang Dolma took part in this campaign. On Sept 30, the police citing deteriorating health condition took Tsewang Dolma to the hospital.

The campaign has witnessed huge support and solidarity from Tibetans all over the world as well as Indian leaders and members of community. Visits to the hunger strikers from various Indian Members of Parliament, former Ministers, social activists, student organizations and supporters of Tibet were seen.

Tibetan Political Leader Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, Home Minister Kalon Gyari Dolma and Information Minister Dickyi Choyang also visited the hunger strikers and paid their respects and solidarity. Tibetan Parliament in Exile’s Deputy Speaker and Executive Member Monlam Tharchin as well as Members of Parliament Dawa Phunkyi, Dhadon Sharling, Yangchen Dolkar, Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, Kusho Thubten Wangchen, Karma Yeshi, Norbu Tsering, Wangpo Tethong, Tsering Youdon, Lobsang Yeshi, Gyari Bhutuk, Chokyong Wangchuk, Youdon Aukatsang and Mogru Tempa visited the hunger strikers. Chitue Karma Choephel couldn’t visit due to personal health reasons but sent in his solidarity.

With three aims and five demands the campaign been successful in accomplishing its goals and has inspired a whole new generation of young Tibetans invoking a sense of renewed nationalism and patriotism in the Tibetan freedom movement. “Support from students, youth and members of the community has been great”, said Tamdin Hrichoe. “That kind of support and unity is very important in our struggle and must continue in order for us to win our country back,” added Hrichoe.

A Solidarity Unplugged Concert with Indian Rock Band Parikrama and Poetry for Peace events were also organized at the hunger strike site. This was something new and never done before. “The idea is that we have to use all our resources, ideas and be strategic, therefore such events help us in achieving our overall goals,” said Jigme.

TYC hunger strike participants will now be taken to the hospital for evaluation and necessary medication to recover.

INDIAN SUPPORT POURS IN AS HUNGER STRIKE ENTERS 24th DAY

October 3, 2015July 31, 2023 admin Hunger strike campaign, Media, Press Release

Delhi Oct 3: As one of the three hunger strikers being forcibly hospitalized and the two others still resiliently carry on forward, immense Indian support has been pouring on. After Tsewang Dolma has been taken by police and hospitalized on the night of 21st Sept, the two others Tamding Hrichoe and Tenzin Wangchuk are carrying the hunger strike forward. The indefinite hunger strike initiated on 10th September by Tibetan Youth Congress now enters into its 24^th day.

On the September 29^th Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt Menka Sanjay Gandhi immediately received a delegation from TYC at her office and swung into action. She wrote a letter to the Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki Moon and said, “I strongly believe that the United Nations and its member States must act immediately and hold China responsible for their actions in Tibet.” The Union Minister, who is also the Co-convener of All Party Indian parliamentarian Forum quoted the five point demands laid down by the Hunger Strikers.

The Hunger Strike site, hosted in a tent at the Jantar Mantar has been witness to a constant flow of visitors and quite often visited by long time Tibet supporters and Indian leaders like MP Shri Shanta Kumar (former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh), Shri Prafulla Mahanta (former Chief Minister of Assam), (former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand) MP Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari; Indian Members of Parliament like Shri Bashsistha Narain Singh and Shri Ninong Ering. Shri Shanta Kumar congratulated the hunger strikers on this campaign and asked that the hunger strike not go on indefinitely. The leaders not only issued support letters to hunger strikers but gave the assurance that they would raise Tibet issue during the winter session of the parliament. Several Indian Members of Parliament officially received TYC delegates at their offices and gave their support; they are former Union Minister Mani Shanker Aiyer, Kanak Lata Singh, Ramdas Athwale, Shyam Jaju, Ajit Singh and Mahendra Singh Mahar.

Students Unions of the Two of the most powerful political parties students wings National Students Union of India and Akhyil Bharatiya Vidhyarti Parishad came forward most strongly in support of the demands made by the hunger strike. Members of Indian Youth Congress also visited the hunger strikers.

On 1^st October a group of Indian Tibet supporters lead by Gandhian and Chairperson of Gandhi Peace Foundation, Radha Bhatt and long time Tibet supporter Vijay Kranti a delegation approached the UN office in Delhi. In their petition addressed to the UN General Secretary they appealed the UN “to consider their demands with an open mind and without being weighted down by the unwarranted and unjustifiable pressures from the government of People’s Republic of China”.

Tibet Support groups Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch, Himalayan Parivar and All India Core Group for Tibet members also visited the hunger strikers. On Oct 2^nd, Shri Swami Agnivesh President of Arya Samaj and a delegation of social activists from the community came in solidarity. Reknowned Indian social scientist Professor Ashis Nandy also visited the hunger strikers in solidarity.

The support from Indian leaders for Tibetan Youth Congress’s Indefinite Hunger Strike campaign urging the United Nations for an Immediate Intervention in Tibet has been absolutely inspiring says TYC President Tenzing Jigme. “Leaders from various different political parties, Ngo’s, youth wings and social activists have all come out very strongly in support and in solidarity with the hunger strikers and the campaign – this goes to show that the issue of Tibet is not an forgotten one – there is great support for the Tibetan cause and that we must keep the struggle going until Tibet is Free”, added Jigme.

We are willing to die for Tibet

September 27, 2015July 31, 2023 admin Hunger strike campaign, Media, Peace March Campaign, Press Release

For Immediate Release:
Contact: Tenzing Jigme +91-9882910291
Ngawang Lobsang +91-9816436697

“We are willing to die for Tibet”

Delhi Sept 28: Around 500 Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) members and Tibetan supporters will gather for a “Peace March” followed by a protest at the United Nations in Delhi on Monday Sept 28. TYC has initiated an “Indefinite Hunger Strike” for Tibet at Jantar Mantar in Delhi from Sept 10. This hunger strike is aimed to raise awareness about the critical situation inside Tibet, pay respect to the self-immolations for Tibet and show solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet. With a set of five demands to the UN, the Indefinite Hunger Strike is in its 19th day today. The three hunger strikers are TYC Executive members: Vice President Tamdin Hrichoe, Information & International Relations Secretary Tsewang Dolma and Finance Secretary Tenzin Wangchuk. 143 Tibetans have self-immolated inside Tibet since 2009 protesting China’s hardline policies. Tibet continues to burn.

TYC_Press Release (1) 27-9-2015

The health of the three hunger strikers are deteriorating day by day but their spirit is high and their will to continue until a response from the UN is given is firm. “We are willing to die for Tibet,” says Tamdin Hrichoe one of the participants of the hunger strike.

TYC demands to the United Nations are as follows:
1. Urge the United Nations to raise the issue of Tibet at its General Assembly and Human Rights Council Session
2. Urge China to address the demands of the Self Immolations in Tibet
3. Urge China to give evidence that the 11th Panchen Lama Gendun Choekyi Nyima is alive
4. Send a fact-finding UN delegation to assess the current critical situation in Tibet
5. Urge China to release all political prisoners

“This peace march will put pressure on the UN to stand up for Tibet and respond to our demands. The Tibetan issue cannot be ignored. UN, governments and leaders of the world have a responsibility to stand up and speak strongly for those oppressed,” said TYC President Tenzing Jigme.

TYC is the largest Tibetan NGO in exile working for the freedom and independence of the Tibetan people.

Who: Tibetan Youth Congress and Tibetan Supporters
What: Peace rally/Protest
Where: March from Khan Market/Protest at UN
When: 10am Monday Sept 28
Why: To pressure the UN for an Immediate Intervention in Tibet

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Tibetans Urge UN and Obama to Speak Strongly for Tibet

September 22, 2015 admin Media, News, Press Release

Delhi Sept 23: Thirteen days and 312 hours later, without any food, the three Tibetan Youth Congress Executive members on hunger strike (2male, 1 female) bodies are weak but their minds are strong and their will to go on with conviction and determination is even greater. On Sept 10, Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) the largest Tibetan NGO in exile working for the freedom and independence of Tibet, initiated this “Indefinite Hunger Strike” for Tibet campaign in Delhi, with demands urging the United Nations for an Immediate Intervention in Tibet.

This campaign is aimed at the United Nations who has a responsibility to stand up and speak up for truth and justice. Resolutions on Tibet have been passed at the UN General Assembly but the communist Chinese government is never held accountable for their actions.

Since the People’s Republic of China’s illegal occupation of Tibet in 1949, the Communist Party has enforced a series of campaigns and policies to systematically stifle Tibetan culture, language, identity, and spiritual traditions and destroy Tibet’s fragile environment. Tibet today faces a life and death struggle.
Day13
TYC demands to the UN:

1. United Nations member states to raise the issue of Tibet at its General Assembly and Human Rights Council Session
2. Urge China to address the demands of the Self Immolations in Tibet
3. Urge China to give evidence that the 11th Panchen Lama Gendun Choekyi Nyima is alive
4. Send a fact-finding UN delegation to assess the current critical situation in Tibet
5. Urge China to release all political prisoners

Tibetan Youth Congress also urges the American President Barack Obama to speak strongly on the issue of Tibet with Xi Jinping when they meet in Washington DC. “Leaders of the world have a responsibility to speak up for those oppressed”, stated TYC President Tenzing Jigme. “We ask that the President not only raise the issue of Tibet with Xi but send a strong message that human rights and freedoms of Tibetans must be respected”, added Jigme. North American chapters of Tibetan Youth Congress will submit a memorandum and organize protests during the meeting in DC.

Since 2009, 149 Tibetans have sacrificed their lives self-immolating themselves for their nations freedom inside Tibet and in exile. These brave men and women who set themselves on fire have called for the ‘Return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet’, ‘Independence for Tibet’ and ‘Freedom in Tibet’ etc. However, instead of addressing the demands of these courageous Tibetans, the Chinese government has tightened its control over Tibet and introduced new policies to clamp down on peaceful protestors.

On hearing the news that the delegations of the United States and the European Union who TYC has been lobbying have raised the Tibet issue at the ongoing 30th Human Rights Council session in Geneva, TYC VP Tamdin Hrichoe who is one of the participants of the Indefinite Hunger Strike said, “reports that the US and EU have raised the issue of Tibet at the Human Rights Council session is welcoming and one of our demands, but we will continue until the aims and objectives are met”.
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United Nations: Immediate Intervention Now – Avaaz Petition

September 17, 2015 admin Media, News, Press Release, Statements

His Excellency, Mr. Ban Ki Moon
Secretary-General, United Nations
United Nations Headquarters
New York, NY 10017

Your Excellency,

Tibetans living in and outside Tibet urge the United Nations for an immediate intervention on the situation in Tibet. Since the People’s Republic of China’s illegal occupation of Tibet in 1949, the Communist Party has enforced a series of campaigns and policies to systematically stifle Tibetan culture, language, identity, spiritual traditions and destroy Tibet’s fragile environment. Tibet today faces a life and death struggle. Over 1.2 million Tibetans have lost their lives and Tibetans in Tibet today continue be oppressed and discriminated through various policies designed to marginalize the Tibetan people and wipe out our religion and culture.

On August 28, a 55 year old woman from Nguru Village in Eastern Tibet, Tashi Kyi set herself on fire. She later died that day. This is the seventh self immolation inside Tibet this year. Since 2009, 149 Tibetans have sacrificed their lives self immolation for their nations freedom inside Tibet and in exile. These brave men and women who set themselves on fire have called for the ‘Return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet’, ‘Independence for Tibet’ and ‘Freedom in Tibet’ etc. However, instead of addressing the demands of these courageous Tibetans, the Chinese government has tightened its control over Tibet and vehimently criticises the Tibetan spiritual teacher His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It has also stepped up its propaganda around the world by investing billions of dollars into mass media and other machineries. It is unfortunate that the United Nations and the governments of the world have ignored this crisis and the cries of the Tibetan people – but its not too late to act.

In order to create awareness about the critical situation in Tibet; to support the demands and aspirations of the self-immolators; and to show solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet, the Tibetan Youth Congress has initiated a “Indefinite Hunger Strike”, in India’s capital Delhi from Sept 10. United Nations must act immediately and hold China responsible for their actions in Tibet.

Our demands to the United Nations are as follows:
1. Urge the United Nations to raise the issue of Tibet at its General Assembly and Human Rights Council Session
2. Urge China to address the demands of the Self Immolations in Tibet
3. Urge China to give evidence that the 11th Panchen Lama Gendun Choekyi Nyima is alive
4. Send a fact finding UN delegation to assess the current critical situation in Tibet
5. Urge China to release all political prisoners

United Nations cannot remain silent on the issue of Tibet anymore. Tibet continues to burn. We urge the United Nations for an Immediate Intervention in Tibet. We hope that you will do the right thing.