Nepali Times editor Kunda Dixit emailed me a link to a photo feature on the crackdown on Tibetans in Kathmandu, who were protesting peacefully in front of the UN building.
Photo by Sam Kang Li.
Click here to watch more photos.
Read this BBC article which reports that Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao "appreciated" the steps taken by Indian authorities in handling protests by Tibetan refugees.
What do you think of the Indian and Nepali government's response towards Tibetan protesters? Please post your comments below.
I asked four questions to Kalaya’an Mendoza at Students for a Free
Tibet, a New York-based network of youth activists working for the
Tibetan freedom and independence.
1. What do you make of the mass crackdown on Tibetan refugees in India and Nepal?
India and Nepal should abort the heavy-handed tactics they have been
using against Tibetan protesters. It is disheartening to see this is
how the Indian government reacts to an act akin to Gandhiji’s own
peaceful protests. The Nepali government should also practice maximum
restraint in using excessive and unnecessary force against Tibetans. (Read more below).
In India, there is an agreement between the Indian and the Chinese government that the refugees cannot carry out anti-China protests on Indian soil. And of course, as China carries the Olympic torch around the world, it wants its image seen as pristine as possible. They think cracking down on these voices will silence the issue but it has only amplified the issue tenfold.
And despite these crackdowns, Tibetans will continue to fight for a free and independent Tibet.
2. Where do you think this all will lead?
Many have said that this is our generation’s Tiananmen. An op-ed piece in the New York Times said that China’s handling of the Tibet issue would be unraveling of the Olympics. Obviously, the Chinese government wants to use Tibet as a central theme in their propaganda for the Olympics. They are using a Tibetan antelope as one of their cartoon mascots and Tibetan dancetroops will be performing during the inauguration. And with slogans like “auspicious games” and “happiness is on the way,” they are using Tibetans as a propaganda tool to show that there is harmony and everything is alright.
3. Any plans for protests here in the US?
At this time, there are protests going on all over the world. There will be a big mobilization in Ottawa at the end of this week. There are protests being organized in Alaska, San Francisco, Chicago, New York and Washington DC. Supporters of Tibetans are rallying in Mexico and the sense of solidarity for Tibetans has been overwhelming.
4. How do you see the UN being involved?
We are hoping that the UN intervenes immediately and also sends a fact-finding delegation to Tibet regarding the media blackout.
What do you think of the Indian and Nepali government's response towards Tibetan protesters? Please post your comments below.
