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For over half a century courageous Tibetans have risked life and freedom to highlight the suffering of their fellow Tibetans and blaze a path to a better future. Many have paid the ultimate price.
With the Chinese government struggling to contain dissent and consolidate its hold on Tibet, more and more Tibetans are being rounded up and imprisoned for ?crimes? such as sharing information with the outside world or possessing a photo of the Dalai Lama.
As part of our ongoing efforts to reveal the real situation in Tibet and the everyday oppression of Tibetans under Chinese rule, ATC is highlighting six courageous Tibetans imprisoned for their acts of non-violent resistance.
‘Never give up’: A poem
by the Dalai Lama
No matter what is going on
Never give up
Develop the heart
Too much energy in your country
Is spent developing the mind
Instead of the heart
Be compassionate
Not just to your friends
But to everyone
Be compassionate
Work for peace
In your heart and in the world
Work for peace
And I say again
Never give up
No matter what is going on around you
Never give up.
The NGO Worker: Wangdu
The Monk: Jigme Guri
The Nun: Sangye Lhamo
The Community Builder: Tenzin Delek Rinpoche
The Nomad: Runggye Adak
The Filmmaker: Dhondup Wangchen
From advocating for environmental protection (Tenzin Delek Rinpoche) to calling for the return of the Dalai Lama (Sangye Lhamo and Runggye Adak), each have risen above fear and intimidation to give voice to their fellow Tibetans. Their stories personify the day-to-day repression and hardship endured by Tibetans in their homeland.
Even before the 2008 uprising, Tibetan sources had reported a three-fold increase in arbitrary arrests and detention. In August 2008, following six months of peaceful protests, the International Campaign for Tibet identified 263 Tibetans known to be in custody, with many hundreds more whose names could not be confirmed. Official Chinese statistics left over 1,000 Tibetans unaccounted for. Those released have shared shocking accounts of torture and other ill-treatment in prison.
By raising their profile through cyber actions, direct government lobbying and public campaigns, ATC aims to secure the release of these six courageous individuals and the many hundreds of other Tibetans imprisoned for peaceful acts of resistance.
Click below to view the profiles:
The NGO Worker: Wangdu
The Monk: Jigme Guri
The Nun: Sangye Lhamo
The Community Builder: Tenzin Delek Rinpoche
The Nomad: Runggye Adak
The Filmmaker: Dhondup Wangchen |
