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Speaker of Tibetan Parliament hails Free Tibet protests in Beijing

By Lobsang Wangyal | Tibet Sun

DHARAMSHALA, India, 14 August 2008—Speaker Karma Choephel announcing a worldwide symbolic hunger strike for 12 hours on 30 August. He hailed the protests by activists of Students for a Free Tibet during the Beijing Olympics. Lobsang Wangyal/Tibet Sun

“The activists were not protesting against the Beijing Olympics. Nor were they asking to boycott the Beijing Olympics. They were asking for freedom and human rights in Tibet,” Karma Choephel, the Speaker, said.

“Their banners said ‘Free Tibet’, and the people in Tibet are dying for Freedom.”

He said that the activists were using the Olympics as a medium to speak out about the Tibetan issue, and believes that it will not hamper the ongoing process of dialogue with the Chinese government.

“These activities will also boost the morale of the Tibetans inside Tibet,” he added.

The Tibetan parliament-in-exile may officially express appreciation to the actions of the activists.

Choephel announced a worldwide symbolic 12-hour fast on 30 August (Saturday) to pay homage to the Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives for Tibet and to encourage those are still suffering in the Chinese prisons in Tibet.

The symbolic fast is being organised by the “Tibetan Solidarity Committee.” All the Tibetan official establishments will remain closed around the world to join this event. The participants are not expected to eat or drink except plain water during the fast.

Choephel said that the event is organised after the Beijing Olympics to avoid any apparent confrontation with the games.

Copyright © 2008 Tibet Sun

Published in Tibet Sun