Tibetans in Australia staged a protest rally against the deplorable human rights situation inside Tibet urging the global community to boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics in China on Monday, 31 January. A large number of Tibetans gathered from various cities began a rally titled ‘Peace Walk for Tibet: City to City’ from Newcastle to Sydney.
MP Sharon Claydon of the Australian House of Representatives was among the attendees on the first day of the peace rally. Condemning China for the continued human rights abuses in Tibet, MP Claydon said opposing China through movements such as the one launched by the Tibetans in Australia was significant in making China accountable for its human rights violations and urged Tibetans around the world to participate in opposing China.
“I personally will pay close attention and support to the movement,” said MP Claydon.
The peace walk was organised by the Newcastle Tibetan Community Association and was led by former Tibetan political prisoner Bhagdo, a Buddhist monk from Gaden. Following his lead were other former Tibetan political prisoners including Tenzin Dhonyoe, Dawa Tashi, Tashi Tseten, Pema Tso, Tenzin Ganglha, and Gurbhum Gyal. The youngest among them was a 15 yr-old Tenzin Ganglha.
The demonstrators who displayed the Tibetan flag and Australian flag on each side shouted resonating slogans such as ” Those who do not abide by human rights are not qualified for Olympic games”.
It was reported that many more Tibetans from other places are expected to join the rally which is to be held on Friday, 4 February. According to sources, a large scale movement will be carried out by the Tibetan Support Group and Tibetan Association in Sydney’s Martin Place.
MP Sharon with the Tibetan political prisoners in Australia.
Tibetans protest against China’s human right abuses in Tibet.
