NEW YORK, NY — On Monday, Ivan Simonovic, Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights has sent an official invitation to Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) President Tsewang Rangzen for an official meeting at his office to discuss about the Tibetan conditions in China and the Hunger Strike in front of the United Nations headquarters in NYC.
The Congress has been representing the protesters — Dorjee Gyalpo, Yeshi Tenzing and a lama Shingza Rimpoche — who sat in the street wrapped in blankets.
This was on the 20th day of “Indefinite Hunger Strike for Tibet” in front of the United Nations Headquarters which attracted much media attention including a visit by an actor, Richard Gere on March 8th.
It is reported that at the formal meeting, TYC President restated the details about the constant discrimination practice and undeclared martial law situation in Tibetan autonomy in China leading monastics and youth to self-immolations in non-violent protest which need an immediate intervention by the United Nations.
Tsewang Rangzen said, “the three hunger strikers are willing to wait until their last breath to be heard from the UN Secretary General on the 5 point appeals. When the Tibetans in Tibetan region make the ultimate sacrifice [which is self-immolations], their hope is for the United Nations and the international community to be their voice.”
Simonovic, Assistant Secretary General assured for the message to be delivered to the UN Secretary General and Human Rights Commissioner directly after the meeting. He also visited the three hunger strikes in deteriorating health condition in front of the UN and shared his deep concerns.
On the same day at Union Square, New York City, Tibetan Women’s Association organized a protest for Tibetan human rights in China. There were many participants in the square taking turns shouting slogans “Wake up UN now!” “Tibet is for Tibetan, China out of Tibet!.”
In the middle of the protest, there was a moment of silence and prayers held for the Tibetan victims abused by the Chinese government and for 25 self-immolation protester. Of which the last self-immolation is Dorje, 18 self-immolated on Monday at Aba county in Sichuan province, China in protest to unequanimity to basic human rights for Tibetan.
