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Report by Jane Osborn On this international Human Rights Day, we as a group came together to recognise 108 Tibetan Political Prisoners known to have been imprisoned by the Chinese Government. As we are well aware the Chinese Government controls all information about what happens in Tibet. Significantly 'clear' information regarding Political Prisoners and their plight proves difficult to obtain. For example, the names of those Political Prisoners we recognised on this day are just a handful of those known to be detained. Our thoughts on the day were also with the 'unknown' numbers. |
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Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states: 'Everyone has the right to freedom of opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers'. We wished to demonstrate the stark contrast between the stated law and its' application within Tibet. For example the Annual Report Human Rights Violation in Tibet (1999) found that: 'out of 130 known arrests in 1999,115 Tibetans were arrested for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression.' |
 Photo by Alex Ng |
There remains an international apathy to confront China on Human Rights issues. China continues to act in a totally amoral way. We may ask what is done to oppose their actions? Very little, if anything, collusion Internationally with China continues like a malignancy festering beneath the surface |
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There are a great number of issues concerning Tibet but as
E. Lazar (1999) states: |
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A. Hescher |
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| Prior to the Vigil Simon had written to the police regarding the laying of flowers outside the Chinese Embassy. We were accordingly given permission to lay flowers on the pavement without touching the Embassy railings. Flower laying in the past had been a source of distress for the police. They would promptly have them removed. |
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| Sunday morning was cold and wet,
however as the time came for the start of the Vigil, the rain
ceased but the sun remained throughout behind the clouds. Paula
and Alicia arranged the table containing flyers and articles,
they somehow managed to secure them despite the wind. From the start of the Vigil there was a good flow of demonstrators. A few counts added up to fifty or more. There were a good solid number of Tibetans of all ages. It was really lovely to see the younger Tibetan children actively participating. Their smiley faces and strong voices very much added to the warm and inspiring atmosphere. In contrast to the house on the opposite side. |
As night fell candles lit up the pavement . |
A couple of hours into the Vigil Tserling Wangmo, the chairperson of the Tibetan community in England began reading out the names of the 108 Tibetan political prisoners. Everybody listened intently as she read out the names: |
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| 1. Jampa Dedrol 2. Ngawang Thogme 3. Tserug Orug 4. Ngawang Woesel 5. Lobsang Choephel 6. Lobsang Sherab 7. Oezer Choekyi Oezer 8. Thupten Yeshi 9. Palden Choedron 10. Pema Phuntsog 11. Gonpo Tseten 12. Jampal Tendar Migmar 13. Ngawang Pelkar 14. Lobsang Tsultrim 15. Dawa Dorje 16. Lobsang Dechen 17. Tenpa Wangdak 18. Lobsang Tobchen 19. Sonam Choedrag 20. Sholpa Dawa 21. Lhundrub Kalsang 22. Lobsang Choeden 23. Lobsang Tenchung 24. Yeshe Tenzin 25. Ngawang Choephel 26. Lodroe Thubten 27. Sonam Tsering 28. Tserling Lhamo 29. Nyima Tsamchoe 30. Jigme Gyantso 31. Trinley 32. Damchoe 33. Nyima Dondrub 34. Dawa Tsering 35. Rhunsok Wangdue 36. Ngawang Nyima 37. Tashi Phuntsog 38. Tsultrim Sherab 39. Lobsang Tenzin 40. Lobsang Konchog 41. Tanak Jigme Sangpo 42. Zangmo 43. Gyaltsen Wagmo 44. Sanggye Choedron 45. Monlam Choeying 46. Ngawang Sangdrol 47. Tsering Choekyi 48. Damchoe Drolma 49. Namdrol Wangmo 50. Legshe Ngwang 51. Jampa Dawa Dawa 52. Chadrel Jampa Jampa 53. Trinley 54. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima 55. Tsewang Palden 56. Tobgyal 57. Atsag 58. Basang Norbu 59. Trinley Tsultrim 60. Yeshe Pazmo 61. Rigzin Choephel 62. Sherab Tsultrim |
63. Chadrel Rinpoche
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As the names were being read out people walked over individually carrying flowers over to lay on the pavement outside the Chinese Embassy. The Chinese as the 'norm' for them were seen peeping behind their net curtains. They gingerly opened the large black door and were seen to be in conversation with the police standing by the Embassy door. Along with the flowers a picture of the Panchen Lama taken over and displayed in front of the big black door. The Chinese response was to shake their heads slowly from side to side, as if saying 'no' 'no'. They found this visual stimuli of the Panchen Lama too much to bear and quickly withdrew back into their black hole. |
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 Photo by Lisa |
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 Photo
by Alex Ng |
Gombo took up his post outside the Embassy holding a flag/banner. People from the Vigil read out names and background information which played a part into the Political prisoners being arrested. This was extremely moving, everybody was involved in their own way. There was some concern I believe from the police as to how they had manned the Embassy during the laying of flowers. The police however remained friendly throughout. Simon as usual used his diplomatic charms to reassure them. |
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There was a lot of chanting, the Children especially were very expressive. The Tibetan voices giving out their usual very deep sounds. When Gombo shouts it's a bit like an electrical transfusion. Towards the end the Tibetan national anthem and prayers were sung. One did not have to understand the words to be moved. |
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 Photo by Lisa |
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*The Vigil ended with a three minutes silence* |
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Photo by Alex
Ng