British Olympic chiefs have backed away from a plan requiring all British athletes heading to the Beijing Olympics to keep quiet about China’s human rights record.

Beginning on March 10th, anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan Uprising, recent days have witnessed the largest demonstrations inside Tibet since 1989. Reports today indicate numerous arrests and heavy-handed tactics by armed police including the use of tear gas to disperse the protesting monks. The Australia Tibet Council (ATC) has condemned China’s aggressive response to these peaceful protests.

On Monday 10th March Tibetans and their supporters will mark the anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan Uprising with colourful public events in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane.