Tibet Protests

[belfastuniguy 18]

Deaths reported in Tibet protests

Stones were thrown and buildings burnt in Lhasa

Clashes between protesters and security forces in Tibet's main city of Lhasa have left at least two people dead, according to reports.

An emergency official told AFP news agency that many people had been hurt and an unspecified number had died.

The US-based Radio Free Asia quoted witnesses who said they had seen at least two bodies on Lhasa's streets.

Rallies have continued all week in what are said to be the largest protests against Beijing's rule in 20 years.

British journalist James Miles, in Lhasa, told the BBC that rioters had taken control of the city centre.

"Some of them are still attacking Chinese properties - shops, restaurants, owned by ethnic Chinese," he said.

"Some of them are looting those shops, taking out the contents and throwing them on huge fires which they've lit in the street."

Another eyewitness said there were tanks on the street and he had seen people being carried away on stretchers.

Dalai Lama concerned

Radio Free Asia, which is funded by the US government, quoted one Lhasa resident as saying: "[The rioters] ransacked Chinese shops and the police fired live ammunition into the crowd. No-one is allowed to move around in Lhasa now."

The rallies began earlier this week when a number of Buddhist monks were reportedly arrested after a march marking the 49th anniversary of a Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule.

Hundreds of monks took to the streets to demand their release. The protests have gathered momentum over the past four days and campaign groups say ordinary people are now involved.

The Dalai Lama, who heads Tibet's government-in-exile in India, released a statement expressing deep concern.

He called on the Chinese leadership to "stop using force and address the long-simmering resentment of the Tibetan people through dialogue with the Tibetan people."

He added: "I also urge my fellow Tibetans not to resort to violence."

Chinese authorities have blamed "the recent sabotage in Lhasa" on the "Dalai clique".

Unrest has spread to other areas of Tibet and neighbouring provinces. There are reports of hundreds of monks rallying in Gansu.

The situation is causing concern among Western governments - with senior US and European officials urging both sides to show restraint.

Call for dialogue

The European Union issued a statement urging China to address the concerns of Tibetans.

"We would like to see some kind of reconciliation between the Chinese authorities and the Tibetan representatives," said Dimitrij Rupel, foreign minister of Slovenia, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Europe would be "seeking clarification" on the events in Lhasa.

"There are two messages, one is the need for restraint, the other is that substantive dialogue is the only way forward," Mr Miliband said.

French Foreign Minister Berna

[crazyyaya 4]

Really interesting, thanks for sharing. I expect the Chinese government will try their best to silence any dissidents, particulary with the Olympic Games coming up.

[Easy Bakes 253]

Im supprized this hasent happened sooner then this.

With the Olympics coming up this is a good time to draw world attention thier issues.

[LarksTonguesInAspic 28]

They need to keep reminding the world what China is really about. I think it's a sad sad joke that the Olympics are in China.

[yoshikoroyimara 5]

Totally agree...what the media keeps forgetting is the fact that China agreed to a list of improvements in return for an Olympic bid. Some parts of the list relate to the environment (I do have to say that they are improving...) and human rights...which has shown almost no improvement or decline. It's weird how they took the country off the list of the ten nations with the worst human rights cases...it deserves to be up there...anyhow...TIBET, KEEP ON RESISTING!!!!

OTPOR! OTPOR! (Resistance! Resistiance!...in Serbian...also name of non-violent group that toppled Milosevic in 2000)

[belfastuniguy 18]

I agree with manticorefan, I think China getting the Olympics was an absolute disgrace. They have a shocking list of human and civil right abuses and in no way whatsoever does China or its government embody the ideals of the Olympic movement. If I were Greek I would be very sad indeed to see what China has done to get the games, tarnishing the reputation of the entire movement.....

I hope the games fail for China, I would laugh uncontrollably if sports had to be cancelled due to the dangerous pollution would be a wonderful smack in the face for China....long overdue.

[patriots_1228 51]

Clearly, the games are going to fail. I just hope that the powerful countries like America, Britain, etc. really stick it to China in every event possible. Of course, i wouldn't put it past China to cheat in these games with steroids and other things.

[amal81 3]

Maybe people in the west find it a bit hard to digest the fact that china is rising world power. Mind you I am not a fan of China or its foreign policy but I don't mind Olympics being held in china.

If USSR and Nazi Germany can host Olympics why not china?

[LarksTonguesInAspic 28]

Then let's host the next round in Pyonyang.

Tehran wouldn't work, there would be far too many unveiled women for the authorities to brutalise and the whole system would collapse.

[crazyyaya 4]

Originally posted by: manticorefan They need to keep reminding the world what China is really about. I think it's a sad sad joke that the Olympics are in China.quote>

 

Actually I think China hosting the Olympics could be positive for reform in that country. Bringing a huge event like this means China will have to open up to the world. Having a big responsibility like this can also allow Western leaders to pressure China to change and relax some of its policies.

Then let's host the next round in Pyonyang.

Tehran wouldn't work, there would be far too many unveiled women for the authorities to brutalise and the whole system would collapse. quote>

Actually if North Korea hosted the games it could help bring that country out of its corrupted isolated system. It would be the best thing that ever happened to North Korea and it would help open up their society. If huge pressure was put on them by giving them this privilage, you could easily see a large amount of reform. (Of course this is just me speculating)

Not that they will allow Pyonang to host any time soon.

Edit: Sorry for going too offtopic. On this issue, I also heard that 30 protesters were recently killed in this movement. [Source]

[belfastuniguy 18]

Maybe people in the west find it a bit hard to digest the fact that china is rising world power. Mind you I am not a fan of China or its foreign policy but I don't mind Olympics being held in china.quote>

I'm sure some do, but I don't. I just don't support their brutal and repressive government. I would also have not supported the games being hosted in the USSR or Nazi Germany. Remember also that although the policies of the Nazi government were unfavourable at the time they had not started their most disgusting acts of murder yet....had they done so the situation could have been very different and indeed the Berlin games did much to tarnish the image Hitler created of the perfect and purest human form.

Actually I think China hosting the Olympics could be positive for reform in that country. Bringing a huge event like this means China will have to open up to the world. Having a big responsibility like this can also allow Western leaders to pressure China to change and relax some of its policies.quote>

I disagree they have done nothing this far to improve human and civil rights as well as fundamental freedoms. Indeed they have increased their repression on recent months. I suggest you watch some of the more informative news programmes and investigations carried out by some well respected media organisations.

Personally I think the Olympic Committee need to grow a set of ***** and take some control over the games decision again and be an example to the world of supporting and upholding the rights that every person should be entitled to. That would mean awarding the games to countries that deserve them and not based on how much money they make....

[yoshikoroyimara 5]

The Olympics Problem...boycott the Beijing Olympics!

http://www.cfr.org/publication/15499/

sorry...I have digressed from the topic...

[amal81 3]

I'm sure some do, but I don't. I just don't support their brutal and repressive government. I would also have not supported the games being hosted in the USSR or Nazi Germany. Remember also that although the policies of the Nazi government were unfavourable at the time they had not started their most disgusting acts of murder yet....had they done so the situation could have been very different and indeed the Berlin games did much to tarnish the image Hitler created of the perfect and purest human form. quote>

You did not answer my question on USSR. 1980 Olympics were held even after the world knew about what Stalin and other communist despots did in Russia. They did worse things than what the Chinese government has ever done. Again there were noises from the "freedom loving Human rights champions" that Olympics should be boycotted but the games were held regardless.

Moreover: Olympics is a global event where all countries in the world can participate. Just by using an excuse of "poor human rights record", a big country like China can't be barred from hosting the olympics.

[belfastuniguy 18]

Well actually, if you knew your history correctly, the 1980 Olympics in the USSR were boycotted. Many used the reason of invasion of Afganistan as well as some claiming economic and human rights reasons. So yes the USSR did suffer a backlash. In total 62 nations boycotted many that did attend did not parade or compete under their national flag. But then you should have know that before making that statement.

[amal81 3]

It was not a total boycott. Some countries did participate. Same applies to countries who think that China has a poor record with human rights and so they can go ahead and not take part in the games. But then to say that Olympic games being held in china are a joke, and they should fail spectacularly; sounds largely hypocritical and childish.

I smell a distinct 'you did not know this' and 'you did not know that' tone coming from the above post. Anyways this discussion has gone on long enough away from the main topic.

BTW: Even his holiness the Dalai Lama has said that Olympics should go ahead.

[belfastuniguy 18]

Indeed back on topic......

Tibet unrest spreads beyond Lhasa

Tibetan protests against Chinese rule have spread to another part of China, after days of demonstrations and violence in Tibet's main city, Lhasa.

Clashes between Tibetan protesters and police in Aba, Sichuan province, saw a police station and cars attacked.

Rights groups said several people had been killed in the clashes, though this could not be verified.

The violence came after exiled Tibetan leaders said a Chinese crackdown had killed at least 80 people in Lhasa.

Indian-based officials said the figure was confirmed by several sources, even though China had put the death toll during Friday's riots at 10.

The Dalai Lama has called for an international inquiry into China's crackdown, accusing it of a "rule of terror" and "cultural genocide".

Sichuan protest

The clashes in Aba, known as Ngawa in Tibetan, happened around 1200 local time on Sunday, according to Kate Saunders of the International Campaign for Tibet.

Eyewitness: Lhasa 'in cinders'

"The lay people and monks seem to have joined together in a protest... which was focussed around the police presence in the town," she told the BBC.

She said that more than 1,000 monks had been on the streets of the town, which is home to a large monastery.

"According to reliable reports the police opened fire," said Ms Saunders, who is in London but said she had indirect phone and web access to eyewitness accounts. "We know there have been deaths."

Accounts of how many people died differ, but she said the most reliable eyewitness source put the toll at seven.

Reuters news agency cited an unnamed police officer in Aba saying that Tibetans had thrown petrol bombs, burned a police station, and torched vehicles during the clashes.

The incident followed protests on Friday and Saturday in a Tibetan area of the neighbouring province of Gansu, when monks and demonstrators confronted police in Xiahe.

Crackdown

In Lhasa, where rioting erupted on Friday after days of mainly peaceful protest

[yoshikoroyimara 5]

The Tibetan protesters should not harm Chinese civilians...they should focus on the government...but there is a cultural genocide, though...

...as a descendant of Chinese who fled after the Chinese Civil War...I am waiting for the day that China (PRC) shall pay its dues...hopefully it will be in my lifetime...

[fukuda 351]

"cultural genocide"?

[yoshikoroyimara 5]

yes...cultural genocide...the Chinese (Han) have basically overwhelmed...or are close to overwhelming the Tibetans...they are restricted in practices and language...basically their whole culture is being undermined...

[yoshikoroyimara 5]

more info:

"In a newspaper interview, International Olympic Committee vice-president Thomas Bach said a number of top athletes were considering boycotting the games in China over the bloody crackdown on protesters in Tibet.

"Several sports stars are feeling ill at ease when they think about the Olympic Games. Some are even considering cancelling," Bach, a German, told Sunday's Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

The Dalai Lama said the Games should go on, but also said China needed to be "reminded to be a good host."

Finally...some boycotting response...

[Micah 16]

Oh wow... this whole time, I thought the thead topic read Taiwan! I didn't realize Tibet was protesting... looks like China has many many issues to resolve before it can officially be known as a world power. All it takes is for the poor people or the religious individuals to rise up against the persecutions and China could literally be in the dark.

[Simfan34 11]

Originally posted by: yoshikoroyimara yes...cultural genocide...the Chinese (Han) have basically overwhelmed...or are close to overwhelming the Tibetans...they are restricted in practices and language...basically their whole culture is being undermined...quote>

Haven't they done that in Xinang too?

[coolotter88 2]

but the Han didn't take over Xinjiang, the Manchus did.

[LarksTonguesInAspic 28]

World leaders have ruled out a boycott of the Olympics in their rush to avoid aggravating China. I don't suppose this had to do with economic issues? Something the entire Western world's leaders share, evidently...cash-induced spinelessness. It's just appalling.

These protests will be crushed, thousands will die or be imprisoned, and the US and Euro 'leaders' will watch the Olympics happily from their skyboxes as the blood flows down the street.

Take note, freedom lovers. It'll be coming soon to a nation near you.

[belfastuniguy 18]

World leaders have ruled out a boycott of the Olympics in their rush to avoid aggravating China. I don't suppose this had to do with economic issues? Something the entire Western world's leaders share, evidently...cash-induced spinelessness. It's just appalling.

These protests will be crushed, thousands will die or be imprisoned, and the US and Euro 'leaders' will watch the Olympics happily from their skyboxes as the blood flows down the street.

Take note, freedom lovers. It'll be coming soon to a nation near you.quote>

I've not been happy with the reaction from European governments, though at least Gordon Brown is going to meet the Dalai Lama, found it strange that after America awarded him the congressional gold medal they have said jack about Tibet....oh well...

I feel disgusted by the reaction, while I respect we have to deal with China and improve economic links we should just not ignore violations, total double standards and unacceptable.

[SimFox 800]

Just to put your feather into perspective:

Personally I'm not surprise to see such a "presentation" of the "news".

[harlem123 0]

That are mistakes, and that news areunprofessional because the pictures doesnt fit to the articles, but what is written in the articles is mostly the Truth.

By the way you can

[LarksTonguesInAspic 28]

CNN is no better, I've caught them lying/misleading stories I already knew about. 'CNN Asia' means they lie in languages other than English.

[belfastuniguy 18]

A few mistakes, in fact the BBC is one of the best there with an error describing a picture, so I still stand by the BBC, CNN and FOX I'm not surprised by to be honest.

However your presentation still does not explain the events in Tibet. Indeed the Chinese government today confirmed they opened fire on Tibetan protesters....and just 'wounded a few'.

There are always more than one side to a debate.

[SimFox 800]

Originally posted by: harlem123 That are mistakes, and that news areunprofessional because the pictures doesnt fit to the articles, but what is written in the articles is mostly the Truth.

By the way you can´t take the "Bild Zeitung" serious it is the german Sun.quote>

And you know that from... same very people whom you call "unprofessional"?

So list of unprofessionals (apart from Bild)

CNN

Washington Post

RTL

BBC

Spiegel

FOX

And that is a tip of iceberg... It is not the first time such a creative approach has been taken, (I would say it is a typical thing) just this time it is so graphical.