Friday, May 30, 2008 Speak out: For a free and just Tibet By Lester Padriga and Jacinto Vidal Tibet Support Group-Pilipinas and Friends for Tibet (Circle of) Cebu
CHINA has brutally oppressed recent protest in Tibet.
Scores of Tibetans have been killed, thousands detained – and the world is watching.
China finds itself in a difficult situation.
As host of the Olympic Games this summer, it promised to boost “democracy and human rights.”
The Chinese government has been working hard to whitewash any blemish on its national reputation.
It is eager to present a friendly, reasonable face to the world in the hope that all nations will overlook its repressive policies in Tibet.
Now the people of the world have seen peaceful Tibetan protest led by monks come under fire by Chinese police and the military.
We have learned about the murder of marchers and the arrest of thousands of Tibetans who are asking for such minor rights as the freedom to pray for the Dalai Lama’ health.
Reporters and western visitors were expelled from Tibet so that none could tell the truth of what went on as China crushed the protest.
It is fundamentally unfair for any government to deny people’s right to express their aspiration and to practice their religion and live their culture.
This is hardly the spirit of brotherhood and friendship that China wishes to present to the world.
Let us all join the plea for a free and just Tibet!
