The Solidarity actions around the world in the support of present crisis in Tibet.

April 28, 2008 report

April 28, 2008:

 Dharamsala –

By Phurbu Thinlay

Dharamsala, April 28: His Holiness the Dalai Lama presided over a special Buddhist prayer session this morning for the Tibetans victims of the recent crackdown in Tibet.

A prayer ceremony, held at the Tsuglag-Khang (Main Tibetan Temple), here this morning marked the symbolic completion of the 49th day since crackdown began in Tibet after Tibetan demonstrators took to the street to protest against China’s repressive rule in Tibet.

Tibetan Buddhists believe 49 days or seven weeks is the estimated time for the spirit of deceased people to be reborn into a new life. During these days regular prayers and rituals are conducted. So the 49th day is considered the most crucial transitional stage for the souls of the dead.

According to Tibetan Government-in-exile, based here in Dharamsala, India, more than 150 Tibetans have been reportedly killed following China’s military crackdown on Tibetan demonstrators expressing resentment since last month against more than 5 decades of China’s rule.

Protests broke out in Tibet’s capital Lhasa on March 10 which slowly spread to other parts of Tibet.

Senior officials of the Tibetan government and the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa and Gyaltsab Rinpoche also took part in the prayer service organized by the Tibetan Solidarity Committee.

Source: www.phayul.com

April 26, 2008

1. Around hundred people gathered at Lhabsoeri for sangsol. 
2. Relay hunger strike continued.
3. In the evening around 1500 people participated in the candle light peace procession. A man from South Africa expressed his solidarity with the ongoing Tibetan movement by playing four different songs through his flute.  
4. Photo exhibition on recent killings in Tibet continued. 
5. Continued to offer thousand butter lamps for all those who died in the recent killings in Tibet. 

April 27, 2008

1. Around hundred people gathered at Lhabsoeri for sangsol 
2. Relay hunger strike continued. 
3. Photo exhibition on recent killings in Tibet continued. 
4. In the evening around 2000 people participated in the candle light peace procession. 
5. Continued to offer thousand butter lamps for all those who died in the recent killings in Tibet. 

 

Switzerland –
 
There were at least around 8000 Tibetans and Tibet supporters.  The main square in front of the Swiss Parliament was filled with a sea of Tibetan flags.

April 26, 2008

Pro-Tibet rally gathers thousands

More than 7,000 people have demonstrated in the Swiss capital Bern to show their solidarity with Tibetans. The demonstrators, which included many exiled Tibetans living in Switzerland, demanded on Saturday that the government officially receive the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan leader will visit Bern in October following an invitation from the city authorities.

Economics Minister Doris Leuthard was also asked to request from the Chinese government the authorization for an international fact-finding committee to travel to Tibet. Leuthard will travel to China next month. Days of protests in Lhasa against Chinese rule turned violent on March 14, galvanizing critics of Beijing's communist regime and threatening to overshadow the Beijing summer Olympics.
 
China says 22 people died in the violence, while overseas Tibet supporters say many times that number were killed in the protests and subsequent crackdown across Tibetan regions of western China.

 

Nepal –

Shabrim Recital for April 26, 2008:
 
Number of Participants = 1000
 
Dolma Gyepa         1,01,194
Dolma Dhuepa        4,42,439
Dolma Zung            1,11,869
Mani                    10,84,563
Vajra Guru            10,01,715
Tamdin Zung          1,86,004
 
24 hour Relay Fasting in Solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet: 
The relay fasting entered its 15th day with a new group of 68 Tibetans from all over Kathmandu including 20 nuns from Kopan Ani Gonpa. Chithue Yungdrung Gyaltsen la addressed both the outgoing group who had completed the 24 hours fasting and later addressed the new group sitting for the fasting.
            
Arrests and injured: At the time of reporting, we have received information that over a hundred Tibetans have been arrested and taken to Mahendra Police Hospital premises. Three have been injured and taken to Om hospital. NTSF’s special task forces are already in the field.

Dehradun –

1. April 23, 2008: Hunger strike continued. Shri. Vinod Chamoli, the mayor of Dehradun city along with other members of the city council visited the hunger strike site to express their support and solidarity for the ongoing Tibetan movement. They also addressed the gathering.  

2. In the evening, three senior leader of regional BJP also visited the hunger strike site and expressed their support and acknowledged the growing support for the Tibetan cause. 

3. April 24, 2008: Hunger strike continued. An Australian couple Sean and Kris visited the site and expressed their support and promised to initiate such kind of movement in Australia upon their return home. They also offered donations to the movement.

4. April 25, 2008: Hunger strike continued.  

5. People offered sangsol and hung prayer flags at their respective settlements to pay homage to the most revered lama, the Panchen Rinpoche on his birth anniversary.  

6. To commemorate the birth anniversary of Panchen Rinpoche, all Tibetan around Dehradun region gathered at the Gandhi Park. Madam Neelam Seagal, Chairman of the Himalaya Parivaar addressed the gathering and expressed her support for the Tibetan cause and appeal to the Chinese government to immediately release the Panchen Lama. In the evening, local MLA Shrimati Caran Mayor Milton also addressed the gathering and condemned the Chinese government for their repressive policy in Tibet.