Home > News Archive > Exile government condemns China's "Strike-hard" campaign

Exile government condemns China's "Strike-hard" campaign

By Lobsang Wangyal | Tibet Sun

DIIR Minister Kesang Y. Takla and Secretary Sonam Norbu Dagpo during a press conference at DIIR hall in Dharamshala, India, on 29 January 2009. Takla condemned China for relaunching the Strike-hard campaign and asked to put an end to their hard-line policies in Tibet, immediately.Tibet Sun/Lobsang Wangyal/India

The Tibetan government-in-exile condemned China’s relaunching of the “Strike-hard” campaign in Tibet. The campaign is escalating the already violent suppression of dissent and resulted in rounding up of 5766 Tibetans. They have stepped up the campaign ahead of the Tibetan New Year next month and the 50th anniversary of the failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet.

The exile government reported that a young Tibetan boy Pema Tsepak from Chamdo in eastern Tibet died on 23 January as a result of the Chinese authorities’ severe beatings and torture. He took part in a non-violent protest along with two other young Tibetan boys, whose fate is not yet known.

A police firing firearms incident at Dege Monastery on midnight of 27 January was also reported, although no further details were available.

Chinese police launched a 42-day “Strike-hard” campaign beginning 18 January, raiding Tibetan homes, hotels and other public places in Lhasa. The raids reportedly rounded up 5766 “suspects” for questioning.

The minister of the Information and International Relations of the exile government Kesang Y. Takla said during a press conference that the “Strike-hard” campaign is an effort to step up vigilance against eruption of political protests and to maintain stability in the politically restive region of Tibet.

“The re-launch of the “Strike-hard” campaign and intensification of other PRC’s hard-line policies will cause much more violation of fundamental rights and freedom of the Tibetan people,” Takla said.

“This campaign has taken on a political angle particularly after the March 2008 widespread uprising in Tibet and is being used as a tool to eliminate any political dissents,” she said.

Takla said the campaign will only create atmosphere of further political unrest and, therefore, justifying the use of more repressive measures.

She asked China to call-off the “Strike-hard” campaign and hard-line policies immediately.

As the Tibetans will mark the 50th anniversary of the failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet on 10 March, there could be mass demonstrations in Tibet.

Beginning 10 March last year, Tibetan demonstrations in Tibet that turned violent were cracked down with force, leaving at least 120 Tibetans dead. China said at least 18 Chinese were killed.

Tibetans are calling for no-Losar or the Tibetan New Year which falls on 25 February as mark of mourning for the fellow Tibetans who have died in the March 2008 protests.

Takla said Chinese are putting pressure on Tibetans to celebrate Losar. The Chinese authorities are even providing financial incentives of 500 Yuan for each family and free crackers in a drive to encourage Tibetans to celebrate Losar.

She appealed to the Tibetans to remain calm and not to engage in violence despite the harsh repression, and appealed to the governments and individuals around the world to actively intervene so that unfortunate incidences of March 2008 may not be repeated again.

Copyright © 2009 Tibet Sun

Published in Tibet Sun