Dharamshala: The five monks are dressed in layman’s clothes temporarily, also temporary are their weather beaten faces, and exhausted stares. These five men arrived from Tibet via the Himalayas and Nepal three days ago; for the second time they reveal to international media the human rights offenses that occur daily inside Tibet. Last year when they found themselves in front of cameras they were afraid of the ramifications of telling the truth, now they are guests of Tibetans in exile including Central Executive Committee of Dhomay (CED) and safely in India there is no reason for them to fear physical harm. A press conference took place in the Tibetan Government in Exile complex in Dharamshala, India. Mr. Dhundop, vice president of CED said “we didn’t here about this news on the radio or on the TV when these five monks came here then we knew their story. We are very happy to see these hero’s face to face, and we heartily appreciate their bravery and sacrifice”
On 9th September 2008 international media was allowed a brief visit to Labrang monastery, monks Jamyang Jinpa age 24 (from Sangchu county in Eastern Tibet), Lobsang Gyatso also 24 (from Vezi county in Tso-ngon region), and Jigmey Gyatso age 23 (Bha county in Tso-ngon region) revealed human rights offenses in interviews. The monks become national heroes inside Tibet for openly telling the international media about human rights offenses inside Tibet.
The fiveTibetan national heroes where joined by two additional monks were also involved in peaceful protests in Sangchu district, eastern Tibet two Tibetan monks Gedun Gyatso age 39 (from Sangchu county in Eastern Tibet), and Kalsang Jinpa age 39 (from Sangchu county in Eastern Tibet). The five monks hand printed the flag that was used in this demonstration.
Two of the five shared their personal narratives of the events of 9 September 2008, and 29 March 2008 when they were involved in peaceful protests that against Chinese rule over Tibet.
Monk, Lobsang Gyatso gave a general description about the current situation inside of Tibet and how they made the peaceful demostrations in last year.
Jamyang Jinpa, who described the brutality of Chinese oppression in Tibet and the extreme destruction of the environment including the dumping of nuclear waste on land inhabited by Tibetans. He said “Population transfer has made us a minority in our own country, we have been colonized by the Chinese, and Tibetans are forced to acknowledge a fake Panchen Lama.
He continued “there is no religious freedom in Tibet, we are forced to denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama who is at the core of our heart, from who we seek refuge and salvation.”
They spoke about their plans for further involvement in political issues “now, we don’t have any specific plans to be involved with the Tibetan cause, but as human beings when the opportunity comes to serve our people and our country we will do are best to be helpful to Tibetan religion and culture.”
The spokesman for the five continued; “The Tibetan issue is still unresolved and we feel sadness that Tibetans inside Tibet and those outside are not united. Still, we are grateful that we have arrived and we are blessed that we have the opportunity to meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”
Mr. Dhundop praised the five men, “in 1959 we lost our capital city, Lhasa, to Chinese invaders and many Tibetan heroes and heroines sacrificed their lives for Tibetan freedom. But, shockingly the younger generation that was raised under the Chinese flag still are committed in the utmost to freedom.”
Lobsang Gyatso said “Tibetans need the help of the international community, and the global community must be strong, and united—like Tibetans inside of Tibet.”
