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Tibet Vigil in London - Solidarity with the Tibetan protesters - 17th March

Terry Bettger | 17.03.2008 00:46 | Repression | Social Struggles | London | World

The Chinese government have given an ominous deadline of midnight on Monday in Lhasa (4.00pm GMT) for the protesters to 'surrender'. In London, opposite the Chinese Embassy, Tibetans and supporters will be holding a vigil from 3.30pm in solidarity with the Tibetan protesters in Lhasa, Labrang, Gansu and elsewhere who have bravely stood up to the Chinese occupying forces.

As Chinese tanks roll into a locked-down Lhasa, with the world's media prevented from entering the Tibetan capital, the clock is ticking towards the sinister midnight deadline the oppressive Chinese government have set for the Tibetan protesters to 'surrender' to the Chinese authorities.

In London 4pm GMT will coincide with midnight in Lhasa. Members of the Tibetan community and supporters of the Tibetan freedom movement will gather at 3.30pm Monday 17th March opposite the Chinese Embassy to show their solidarity with the Tibetan people within Tibet and in exile across the world.

As reports filter through from various sources in Tibet it is clear that the Chinese military have opened fire on unarmed Tibetan protesters, including Tibetan Buddhist monks. Further reports of house by house raids and abductions are leading to mass detainment of Tibetans. Dr Manfred Nowak the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture concluded as recently as 2005 that torture in Chinese prisons is 'widespread'. Given that Tibetans have routinely been imprisoned, beaten and tortured for 'offences' as simple as publicly expressing slogans calling for independence and the return of the Dalai Lama there is genuine concern amongst exiled Tibetans for the fate of the protesters that have been detained.

Gather from 3.30pm opposite the Chinese Embassy at 49-51 Portland Place W1 (Nearest underground stations: Regents Park and Oxford Circus) on Monday 17th March. There will be a peaceful protest to demonstrate solidarity for Tibetans in their homeland and in exile.

Terry Bettger

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