PRESS RELEASE
On Behalf of San Francisco Team Tibet
STAND UP FOR TIBET Candlelight Vigil for Tibet in front of the Chinese Consulate
20 January 2012 - 6:30-8:30 PM --Laguna & Geary Blvd., San Francisco
Self-immolations continue and spread into Tibet in 2012
(San Francisco, 19 January 2012). In 2012, four Tibetans have set themselves on fire in a new form of protest and sacrifice in Tibet. All four have died. 12 of the 17 self-immolations since February, 2009, happened in the region of Ngaba (Ch: Aba) (the Tibetan area of Amdo), where an escalation of tensions has been registered.
On 14 January, a young Tibetan layperson set himself on fire in the main town of Ngaba. To the horror of onlookers, he was subjected to violent beatings by police who were extinguishing the flames. This caused Tibetans to gather in protest, and some hours later police fired tear-gas and shot into the crowd, injuring at least two Tibetans. There are serious fears of repercussions for Tibetans involved, or suspected of being involved, in the protest at a time of escalating tension.
The worsening situation in Ngaba, Tibet is an indicator of the deeply repressive climate in Tibet today, and points to the need for the international community to make robust representations to China to address their failed policies, and to urgently allow monks, nuns and lay people space to practice their religion freely.
SF Team Tibet calls upon the international community to press the Chinese authorities to use restraint in Ngaba following the latest self-immolation as a matter of urgency. SF Team Tibet will be hosting a candlelight vigil in front of the Consulate of the People's Republic of China in San Francisco and a short march on Geary Blvd as well as Fillmore St. Together they: urge the Chinese authorities to respect human rights in China-occupied Tibet as in all other Tibetan areas to prevent an escalation of similar acts; call on the Chinese government to uphold international human rights treaties which China is party to; and, urge the Chinese authorities to resume dialogue with the envoys of the Dalai Lama and to guarantee economic, social and cultural / religious rights to the Tibetan people.
Contact: Giovanni Vassallo 415-264-3264 or giovanni@friends-of-tibet.org
SF Team Tibet is scheduled will hold a candle light vigil on Friday, January 20 at the Chinese Consulate at 6:30 PM.
Candle Light Vigil for Tibet's Martyrs.
Location: Chinese Consulate, Laguna & Geary Blvd, San Francisc
Time: Friday, Jan 20th, 2012 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
Please join us with your family and friends:
To remember all the martyrs,
To honor all the martyrs,
and also to increase awareness of situation in Tibet!
Bhod Gyal lo!
1310 Fillmore Street, #401, San Francisco, CA 94115. PH: 415-409-6353 www.Friends-of-Tibet.org bafot@friends-of-tibet.org Dedicated to Tibetan freedom and culture. Since 1983.