United Nations High Commissioner issued a statement on the Tibetan Youth Congress Indefinite Hunger Strike New York

April 16: Mr. Bertrand Ramcharan, Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, issued a statement on 13th April 2004 on the three young Tibetans who are on indefinite hunger strike in front of United Nations headquarters in New York organized by the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC). The statement said, “Let me say, at the outset, that I am deeply moved by the sentiments and conviction that the considerations that would lead human beings to undertake such a hunger strike. It is my sincere hope that the considerations set out below will meet with the satisfaction of the strikers and allow the conclusion of the strike.” Statement further said “I am pleased to report that your concerns being given the highest level of attention by the United Nations Human Rights mechanisms.” It further stated “I would like to inform you that the Special Rapporteur on Torture will undertake a mission to China at the end of next month and I will bring this matter to his attention for his consideration in connection with that mission. Given these developments and assurances it is very much my hope that the hunger strikers will take heart that their cause is receiving the attention it duly deserves and that the strike might now be terminated. I would also like to assure you that we will remain seized of the matter and would welcome any further information or communications regarding developments in these cases that you may wish to bring to our attention. Today, as Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights, I wish to give you my assurances that I will exercise my good offices in encouraging the relevant United Nations human rights mechanisms, as described above, to once again follow up as appropriate.”

 

Réponse TYC :

Reacting to the UN statement Tibetan Youth Congress on behalf of the three Tibetan hunger strikers wrote to the Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and to the Secretary General of United Nations stating that although it was grateful for the statement of the Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights concerning the ongoing hunger strike movement but the statement does not address the specific demands of the hunger strikers and that they are determined to continue indefinite huger strike until their demands are accepted by the United Nations. I hope that the UN will prove its universal commitments by addressing our just demands.

Kalsang Phuntsok Godrukpa (Mr.) President, TYC (Issued in response to the statement by H.E. Bertrand Ramcharan, Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights – Geneva)

 

UN official visits the hunger strikers: Day 15 & 16 New York, April 17: Mr. Craig G. Mokhiber, Deputy Director of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights officially visited the Hunger Strikers and expressed his concerns and commitment for the hunger strike movement. He further presented a copy of Press Release from the UN on the case of Tulku Tenzin Delek to the hunger strikers. On the sunny day of 16th April, with initiatives from the Amnesty International local groups and Student for a Free Tibet, a huge function was organized at Presbyterian Church in New York City. The function was participated by more than 800 students and many dignitaries. The gathering was addressed by Ms. Lhadon Tethong, Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) , who in her speech explained how Tibet existed as an Independent Nation in fact and law, all through its history until communist China forcibly invaded Tibet in the 1950s. She also commented on gross atrocities committed on the Tibetans who suffered deprivation of entire human rights, facing a total marginalisation and who are virtually pushed to the brink of annihilation. Thereafter, Mr. Tsultrim Dorjee Chunang, the General Secretary of Tibetan Youth Congress addressed the gathering. In his speech, he explained about the TYC organisation, objectives of the ongoing hunger strike and the expectation from the freedom loving people of world to help support in freeing Tulku Tenzin Delek from execution and help to release the XIth Panchen Lama. He further stressed on the grim future that the situation of Tibet is deteriorating day by day and that Beijing Railway line from Golmod to Lhasa, which would be completing in 2007 will turn Tibet into a wide influx of Chinese immigration that Tibetans would no longer be exiting in their own country and therefore the year 2007 would be the date line for the 'Operation Rescue Tibet'. After the function, a group of students visited the spot of hunger strike and expressed their solidarity and support and as a mark of remembrance they took pictures along with the three determined hunger strikers. Later in the evening around 4.30 pm, in support of the TYC led indefinite hunger strike, a large number of students from the Amnesty international local groups along with Students for a free Tibet and Tibetan Youth Congress held a big demonstration outside the Chinese Embassy in New York, raising banners and shouting slogans like ‘China lies – UN listens’ ‘Human Rights in Tibet – Now!’ Release the Panchen Lama – Now!’ ‘Release Tenzin Delek – Now!’ ‘China out of Tibet – Now!’ for over an hour. On the 17th April, twelve Tibetan Community members of Boston joined the hunger strikers for a day long token hunger strike in support of the indefinite hunger strike movement. The hunger strikers were visited by many prominent personalities including Mrs. Mary Beth Markey, the Executive Director of International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) and expressed their solidarity and support. The hunger strikers are being encouraged and inspired by the mounting supports and solidarity from international friends, Tibet supporters and Tibetan communities around the world. Besides, the regional chapters of TYC across the globe took initiatives in organizing various activities like chain hunger strike, candle light vigil, peaceful demonstration, signature campaign, fax campaign etc. to show a solidarity and support for the TYC led indefinite hunger strike. Today marks the 16th day of TYC led indefinite hunger strike.