Dharamshala: On September 7, the Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet, in partnership with Taiwan Friends of Tibet, invited Mr Chang Yen Hsien, president of Taiwan Association of University Professors, to a press conference in Dharamshala, northern India, to discuss issues concerning the recent wave of self-immolations in Tibet, as well as future joint campaigns between the two organizations.
Held at Gu Chu Sum exhibition hall in Mcleod Ganj, the event addressed the following issues:
1. Recent acts of self-immolation in Tibet and campaign strategies regarding the situation.
2. The exchange of books relating to testimonies of political prisoners between Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet and Taiwan Association of University Professors.
Following the 1947 massacre of thousands of Taiwanese by the Chiang Kai-shek’s army, the second longest period of martial law in history began, which in turn gave rise to a period of oppression in Taiwan known as the ‘White Terror’. As many as 140,000 people were imprisoned or killed during this era, some of whose testimonies were published by the Taiwan Association of University Professors.
The Taiwan association presented their collections of testimonies, and in return Gu Chu Sum Movement presented ten books about former Tibetan political prisoners.
3. The exchage of national flags between Gu Chu Sum and Taiwanese Friends of Tibet, to symbolise their mutual support for Tibetan and Taiwanese independence.
The organisations also discussed collaboration on future political and cultural campaigns.
