In the statement, the Dalai Lama asks for continued support in calling for an immediate end to the crackdown. The Dalai Lama expresses his particular concern about reports that many injured Tibetan’s are afraid to seek medical treatment in Chinese-run hospitals.

The ATC has today sent the Dalai Lama’s appeal to Australia’s Foreign Minister, Mr Stephen Smith.

In an attempt to summarise some of the developments on the Tibet issue that have taken place in the last 24 hours, we have selected a few of the more pertinant reports with links to fuller coverage.

The stories range from news regarding arrests in Tibet, to political developments, the Olympics and a great review of the creative online initiatives being taken by Tibet support groups and human rights organisations around the world.

Delhi: India’s soccer captain Bhaichung Bhutia has refused to carry the Olympic torch during its run through the capital in protest against the Chinese crackdown on recent demonstrations in Tibet.

Bhutia, who is reported by Indian media to be the first athlete to refuse to run with the torch, faxed his decision to the Indian Olympic Association, a sports official said.

“This is my way of standing by the people of Tibet and their struggle. I abhor violence in any form,” The Times of India quoted him as saying.

In a statement released on the Global Day of Action for Tibet, the President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Sharan Burrow, has called for China to respect the human rights of the Tibetan people, allow unrestricted media access and permit independent investigation into recent events in Tibet.