Tibetans in Kyegundo have sent a letter to China’s leaders asking them to allow the Dalai Lama to visit the quake zone. The Dalai Lama has also expressed his desire to visit the area.
TAKE ACTION: Urge your elected representative to support the wishes of the Dalai Lama to visit the earthquake zone.
Please also post a message of condolence to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-exile – the rightful representatives of the Tibetan people. Read some of the heartfelt messages.
TAKE ACTION: Please honor the wishes of Tibetans in Kyegundo by writing to the UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband urging him to support a visit by the Dalai Lama to the earthquake zone and acknowledge that the earthquake took place in Tibet. (Note: a sample letter is below)
On Saturday, the Dalai Lama held a press conference in which he expressed his desire to visit Kyegundo to offer prayers and much needed support to the affected community. Watch the video. His statement comes a day after a heartfelt letter was sent from Tibetans in the quake zone to China’s leaders requesting the Dalai Lama be allowed to visit. Please read & share the translated letter.
The Tibetans in Kyegundo have the right to be with their beloved leader at this distressing time. Please join us in sending a clear message to the Chinese government that the global community honors this request.
David Miliband
Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
Dear Mr.Miliband,
On behalf of the UK’s Tibetan community and Tibet supporters around the world, we would like to express our deep disappointment that The UK Government failed to acknowledge the recent earthquake in Kyegundo (Chinese: Jieguduo or Yushu, Qinghai Province) on April 14th struck in a Tibetan area and the victims were predominantly Tibetans.
You are undoubtedly aware that the death toll from this disaster is rising daily and that the Tibetan people are struggling to cope with the devastation that has been caused. And in such circumstances, your failure to even mention the victims’ distinct ethnic and cultural identity does a grave disservice to those killed and the many more who are currently suffering.
In 2008, you expressed Britain’s commitment to the people of Tibet and their fundamental rights. You consistently made clear that Britain would want to see the human rights of the Tibetan people respected, including through respect for their distinct culture, language, traditions and religions.
In recent days, Tibetans from the earthquake zone sent a letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao requesting them to allow the Dalai Lama to visit Kyegundo – where the population is more than 97% Tibetan. The Dalai Lama himself has expressed his desire to go there to offer prayers and provide support to those suffering.
As I am sure you are aware, Tibetans revere the Dalai Lama as their spiritual and political leader. In fact, the Dalai Lama himself was born in this part of eastern Tibet now called Qinghai province of China.
As the rightful leader of the Tibetan people, and one of the most respected global leaders of our time, the Dalai Lama has every right to be with his people in their hour of need. I ask that you raise this issue with your counterparts in the Chinese government, and do everything in your power to support the Dalai Lama’s desire to visit the earthquake zone which by doing so will bring solace and comfort to those affected by the earthquake.
I further urge you to kindly acknowledge that the earthquake took place in Tibet and that its victims are overwhelmingly Tibetan.
Yours sincereley,
[NAME]
[ADDRESS]
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MORE INFO & ANALYSIS ON THE EARTHQUAKE:
It’s been a week since a massive earthquake struck Kyegundo in Kham, eastern Tibet (Ch: Jiegu or Yushu). The official death toll has now reached 2,000 – though Tibetans from the area say the true number is much higher – with at least 195 people still missing and more than 12,000 injured. An estimated 100,000 people are now homeless. Click here to support to the earthquake relief effort.
Media coverage from the quake zone clearly shows Tibetans expressing their devotion to the Dalai Lama and praying to him for support in their time of need. Click here to watch CNN footage of Tibetans picking through the rubble of their homes and respectfully touching photos of the Dalai Lama to their foreheads.
Click here to watch moving footage of a Tibetan woman singing a traditional prayer mantra and praying to the Dalai Lama to guide the souls of the dead as she watches the mass cremation of earthquake victims on Saturday.
You can also take action by sending a message of condolence to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile – the rightful representatives of the Tibetan people – through SFT’s website.
Voice of Tibet radio service has also set-up a hotline for people to send message of support into Tibet. Click here to learn more.
Given the long-standing suffering of the Tibetan people at the hands of the Chinese government, Tibetans are understandably distrustful of the Chinese state-controlled relief efforts. Read this in-depth article from the New York Times discussing the tensions in Kyegundo as Chinese leaders use the rescue efforts as an opportunity to forward their Tibet propaganda efforts.
Thank you for supporting the people of Kyegundo, and indeed all Tibetans, at this distressing time.
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