21 Tibetans detained for protest outside Chinese Embassy

[New Delhi: October 1, 2009]

21 Tibetan Youth Congress activists were arrested for protesting at the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi. The protesters wearing black head bands and carrying Tibetan national flags attempted to scale the walls of the Chinese Embassy to protest against China’s illegal occupation of Tibet and the deteriorating human rights conditions inside Tibet.

TYC condemned the celebration of 60 years of Communist rule recognizing the spectacle as a celebration of 60 years of violence, lies and oppression committed against the people of Tibet. Describing the national celebration inside China as a propaganda tool to boost and glorify the degenerating image of the Communist Party of China, TYC appealed to the world to not allow China’s economic and military might to trump human rights and international law.

The protest started at 9:30am to coincide with the "National day parade" taking place in Beijing to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Communist rule. The forceful protest near the Chinese Embassy lasted for about 20 minute before a large number of police arrived at the protest site and forcefully arrested them. The protesters called for China to "quit Tibet" and raised slogans like "Down with Chinese rule.""China makes progress by committing atrocities on an innocent people," one demonstrator said. "Millions of Tibetans are suffering in Tibet under the Chinese."

All 20 male and 1 female activists have been detained at the Chanakyapuri Police Station. They have been registered under CRPC107/151. After the detention of the protesters, TYC Vice-president met with the ACP of the Chanakyapuri Police Station and DCP of the Parliament Street Police Station to check on the conditions of the protesters and the cases they were being registered under. Among the 21 members today were members of RTYC Dharamshala, Dalahousie, Poanta Sahib, Herbertpur, Dekyiling and Rajpur.

In New Delhi, TYC Vice-president also submitted memorandums to the Prime Minister of India’s office, the United Nation’s Secretary General through UN Information Centre and to the Chinese Government through the Chinese Embassy.

A joint protest was also held at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi by Tibetans and Tibet supporters including Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch. TYC Information Secretary Tsultrim Dorjee addressed the protesters and read the TYC press statement. In Dharamshala, TYC Centrex President addressed the protesters gathered in Dharamshala at a joint protest organized by RTYC Dharamshala with other organizations.

All the 21 protestors were released in the evening today, and a felicitation for the protestors release was held at a public reception in Majni-ka-tilla, Tibetan Camp. More than 200 Tibetans gathered for the public reception in Majnu ka tilla and regional associations offered scarfs to all the activists. TYC Centrex Vice President Mr. Dhondup Dorjee addressed the gathering about the significance and purpose of the campaign. He stated, "China’s 60th anniversary celebration of the founding of People’s Republic of China, is a celebration for the Communist party and not for the common people of China."