For Immediate Release
May 8, 2008

Chinese Authorities Said Stupas are not ‘Appealing’ for Tourists’ View and Attempts to Re-locate them near a Crematorium

According to a reliable source, nearly 10 stupas, ranging from small to large sizes, to name few, Dudul (subdue of demons) stupa, Jangchup (bodhicitta) Stupa, and Namgyal stupa will be taken out by their roots for relocation near a crematorium (located at the foot-hill of Tharcha Lhamo mountain behind Nagchu). The original site of the stupas is now being turned into a park for tourist attraction. The current locations of the stupas are in the back of Tsechu temple inside Shabten monastery, located in Nagchu village of Nagchu district. Heavy machineries for re-locating the stupas have been deployed.
These stupas hold high significance for Tibetans for their daily purpose of Tibetan Buddhist practice such as circumambulating. Monks and laypeople of the region are not only deeply saddened but they have also shown much resentment towards the re-location of the stupas. These stupas are decades old and were partially damaged during the Cultural Revolution; however, repaired by devoted Tibetans overtime.

From the beginning of May, Chinese authorities have started to gather meetings to re-assert their ‘Patriotic Education’ and their campaign to denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama. However, Tibetans did not attend the meetings except few Tibetans who are loyal to the Party. In many parts of Tibet, on May 4, there was a heavy restriction, perhaps due to Dalai Lama’s special envoys’ visit in the area and authorities might have feared further protests during the visit.
                                                                                                    
On April 14th, Lodeo Wangpo (alias, Bodh She Dey Gyatso), a Tibetan living in Mu-che-shang in Machu district was arrested in (Ch: Lan Zhou) and his whereabouts remain unknown. Lodeo has run a private school since 2000, and subsequent to his arrests, his school has been closed down. He is also a member of China-Tibet Community of Compassion and serves as an editor of a magazine called Gade Peljin.

In connection to a peaceful demonstration in Amdo Ngaba on March 16, 2008, a Tibetan lady named Dhar-ri was arrested. She has received severe physical torture in Ngaba Prison and in spite of her critical condition; she remains detained.

Another Tibetan, Pema Dechen, was shot and arrested on March 18th. She remains detained in prison in Kardze District. Chinese authorities have not allowed any closed ones any access to see her.

In view of the ongoing critical situation inside Tibet, we urge the United Nations and the International community and organizations to the following urgent needs:

1. To immediately send an independent international fact-finding mission into Tibet
2. To exert pressure on the PRC government to allow unfettered access to free press in whole of Tibet
3. To pressure the PRC to end the brutal killings in the whole of Tibet
4. To immediately release all the arrested and imprisoned Tibetans
5. To extend immediate medical assistance to those injured Tibetans
6. To allow free movement of people and provide access to daily needs

 - Tibetan Solidarity Committee