Des tibetains en greve de la faim
Chronologie établie par Gaynor O'Flynn (en anglais)
DAY ONE TIBETAN UPRISING DAY 10.3.98
Six strikers start Tibetan Youth Congress hunger strike in Jantar
Mantar, New Delhi,
Mr Dawa Gyalpo age 50
Was born in Tibet and was forced to flee in 1959 after the tibetan
uprising, he studied at the Tibetan School in Missorie, then served
the tibetan community for a few years in Dharamsala and in Nepal.
He also worked as a tour guide in Nepal from 1975 to 1985 and
visited Tibet once in June 1985 where he explored the situation
in Tibet. He has been a an active member of the Tibetan Youth
Congress since 1970 and at present is the Secretary General of
Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Salugara, West Bengal. In 1995
he participated in the first Peace March Movement of the tibetans.
He has one son who is administrator of the Tibetan Homes Foundation.
Mr Kunsang age 70
Was born in Tibet in 1930 and fled in 1958. He spent eight years
in Sikkim as a labourer. He is a member of the regional Tibetan
Youth Congress Peruwala. He also participated in both the tibetan
peace march movements in 1995 and 1996/7. He lives alone with
his son in Himachal Pradesh.
Mrs Palzom age 68
Was born in Tibet in 1930. She has undergone sufferings under
chinese rule in Tibet, her husband was killed after a demonstration
in Lhassa in 1987. Many of her relatives died as a direct result
of the chinese occupation. In 1989 after undergoing interrogation
and threats from the chinese government she fled to Nepal. She
lived in an old people's home for many years in Nepal and recently
came to India . She participated in both the Tibetan Peace Movements
in 1995 and 1996/7.
Mr Karma Sichoe age 25
Was born on october 15th 1973. He attended the Tibetan Children's
Village in and later in 1991 joined the Tibetan Art and Metal
Craft Centre and became fully trained in Tanka painting in 1993.
He then established at the Traditional Training Centre in Nepal
for learning Tanka painting. In 1995 he participated in a demonstration
in front of the Chinese Embassy and was detained for three days.
He is a member of the Tibetan Youth Congress.
Mr Dawa Tsering age 53
Was born in Tibet in 1945. in 1960 he reached India and spent
a few years in road construction. He is an active member of regional
Tibetan Youth Congress, Ravangla. he served I the tibetan unit
of the Indian military, the special frontier force but as he could
not participate directly he discharged himself. He served the
Tibetan Freedom Movement of Ravangla branch for three years from
1987 -1989. in 1989, he participated in the Tibetan Youth Congress'
Protest against Li-Peng's visit to India and also participated
in the first Tibetan Peace March Movement in 1995.
Mr. Yungdrung Tsering age 28
Was born in 1970 at Dehra Dunn, Northern India after his parents
were forced to flee from Tibet in 1959. he attended the Tibetan
Children's Village school (TCV) in Dharamsala and then joined
the TCV handicraft centre in 1986 and studied Tanka painting for
six years. he then served the TCV handicraft centre as a
Tanka painter for more than six years and now does his own painting
work. He also participated in the first Peace March Movement of
tibetans in 1995.
HH the Dalai Lama speaks in the main temple Dharamsala, prior
to a Free Concert for Uprising Day &laqno; the current situation
in Tibet and lack of any substantive progress in resolving the
tibetan problem is no doubt causing an increasing sense of frustration
among many tibetans. I am concerned that some might feel compelled
to look for avenues other than peaceful resolutions. while I understand
their predicament, I wish to firmly reiterate once again the importance
of abiding by the non-violent course of our freedom struggle.
»
Day six 16.3.98
First sympathy hunger strikes begin in Home of Tibetan Government
in Exile Dharamsala, India.
Day 23 1.4.98
U.S. Embassy political Secretary visits the site, Mr Donald Lu,
called on the strikers to end their strike.
Day 24 2.4.98
HH the Dalai Lama visits hunger strike &laqno;I admire them their
determination and enthusiasm. but I consider hunger strike unto
death as a kind of violence. I am against all kinds of violence
whether it is towards oneself or others. however I cannot
offer any other suggestions for any alternative method...I am
in a state of dilemma. I do not know what to do.» American
actor Richard Gere is also present.
2,000 tibetans stage a demonstration in Delhi and submit memorandum
to the U.N.
Extensive coverage in the Indian press
Day 25
Actor Richard Gere holds press conference in India on behalf of
strike.
Day 27 : 5.5.98
The news breaks world-wide with the BBC, Canadian TV, french TV
and CNN
covering the story.
World wide sympathy strikes and demonstrations occur, including
March in London from Houses of Parliament to Trafalgar Square,
Peace March in Marseille, fast in Boston, 2,000 tibetans in Katmandu
and a 36 hour strike and vigil outside the U.N. in Delhi.
Day 29 7.5.98
Adama Dieng, Secretary General of the international commission
of jurists, announces he will visit site.
Letter to TYC president from the British high commission, the
British government &laqno;shares your concerns about the human
rights situation in Tibet and raises the issue with the chinese
authorities at every opportunity. »
Australian senate has unanimously passed the following resolution
moved by Senator Bob Brown, &laqno;The senate expresses concern
and sympathy for the tibetan who are on hunger strike and facing
death in India to draw international attention to the plight of
their homeland. »
Sonia Gandhi president of all India congress expresses concern.
World wide solidarity fasts continue including a 120 hour fast
at Raj Ghat, Delhi.
Day 31 9.4.98
the chairman of the committee on international relations of the
U.S. Congress Benjamin A. Gilman writes to the U.S. ambassador
to the U.N. Bill Richardson urging him to visit the hunger strikers
during his upcoming trip to New Delhi, he also urged him to, &laqno;
assure them that the United States will raise the issue of Tibet
at the United Nations general assembly. ».
World wide support and media coverage continues.
Day 32
10.4.98
Mrs Mary Robinson, commissioner for the UN high commission for
human rights, issued a statement yesterday on the six tibetans
who are on unto death hunger strike, &laqno; the young (n.b. actual
ages of strikers !) people had displayed considerable courage
and had succeeded in bringing their issues to the attention
of the international community. However, I share the concerns
that lives should not be lost by continuing the hunger strike...I
hope to make an official visit to china and have indicated to
the chinese authorities my desire to visit Tibet at that time
in order to be more fully informed about the situation there.
»
Mr Tsetson Norbu president of TYC reacted in a press statement,
&laqno; We regret the statement dated April 9, 1998 -tibetan hunger
strike- does not address any of the demands of the hunger strikers.
It does not specifically address any tibetan issues. If the UN
is truly interested in solving the sufferings of the tibetan people,
their demands should be addressed. »
support continues to grow from amongst others, Wei Jinseng leading
chinese dissident, Canadian senator, HH. Consiglio di Nino and
the Albert Einstein Institute.
Day 34 12.4.98
Secretary general of the international commission of jurists visits
the strikers. Just before his visit, the ICJ write to the Secretary
General calling him to appoint a special envoy to seek a
peaceful settlement of the question of Tibet and initiate a UN
supervised plebiscite to ascertain the wishes of the tibetan people.
Day 35 13.4.98
Mr Adama Dieng holds press conference in New Delhi. &laqno;ICJ
has been one of the oldest international bodies supporting the
rights of the tibetan people...It is not against china but pro
justice.» Mr Norbu TYC president stated, &laqno; ICJ is
a non political and independent international body which stands
for justice and peace. The Tibetan Youth Congress is only demanding
the U.N. to implement the recommendations of the ICJ on Tibet.
»
Richard Gere and John Ackerley director of the international campaign
for Tibet visit the assistant secretary for external relations
of the United Nations Gillian Sorensen.
Day 37 15.4.98
Response via Gillian Sorensen from Kofi Annan he was aware of
the concerns of the TYC hunger strikers, whose non violent action
reflected their personal commitment. He appeals to the TYC to
end the strike on humanitarian grounds.
President of TYC reacts...&laqno;this response does not address
the specific demands of the TYC...for the last half century, the
tibetan issue has been the most neglected issue as far as the
United Nations is concerned.&laqno; the TYC and six strikers are
determined to pay the price to gain justice.
Day 39 17.4.98
Delhi temperature hits 37 degrees Celsius, strikers' health and
strength rapidly declines.
Ngo's attending 54th commission on human rights issue appeal in
support of strikers demands.
Mass media coverage and solidarity demonstrations and fasts continue...from
South Africa to Switzerland...
Day 42 20.4.98
48 hour fax jam campaign directed at Kofi Annan as the strikers
complete week six.
Mr Jonathan session delivers statement to chairman of 54th UN
commission on human rights on behalf of the international fellowship
of reconciliation.
Statement by Dawa Gyalpo who Is very weak now... &laqno;These
are my last words... we have got many supporters government and
non government, all over the world, who are working just for world
peace, but unfortunately I have got a statement from the United
Nations General Secretary, this letter is disappointing for me
it does nothing, there is nothing about our demands, this is a
great disappointment to me... So it is very sad that the United
Nations, is only watching when there is violence and killing and
brutal power not watching, not supervising a peaceful country
like Tibet. It means no more justice in the U.N.. the U.N. is
unjust because they are only acting when there is brutal power.
Killing and violence they are running after them but they are
not looking after us. This is very sad for the world. I am expecting
that maybe in the next few days there will be justice from the
U.N. as we are following non violence for tibetan's six million
people. »
HH Dalai Lama gives interview to the BBC, &laqno; I have to express
my admiration for these determined tibetans...willing to sacrifice
their lives for the tibetan cause.»...&laqno;If I stop I
have to offer some alternative but that is not there ».
Day 43 21.4.98
The temperature in New Delhi reaches 40 degrees Celsius the strikers
are in critical condition.
Day 44 22.4.98
The government of Norway representative, Mr T. Holthe issues a
statement. In support of the strikers but Norway still is not
prepared to support the demands of the hunger strikers directly.
Statement of Karma Sichoe, &laqno;Right now we have been on hunger
strike for 44 days but we have not got a right letter from Kofi
Annan. It is very sad that Kofi Annan can not respond to our three
demands. So it is very important to respond to our three demands
if not we continue this hunger strike and we are going to die
and also many tibetans are going to die. »
Day 45 23.4.98
Karma Sichoe gets a fever of 102 degrees.
Day 46 24.4.98
Dawa Gyalpo is very weak and passes in and out of consciousness.
Day 47 25.4.98
Two government doctors visit the strikers. After examining them
they state they are now committing suicide, illegal under Indian
law n report to the government. the police arrive and arrangements
are made for a 21.00 pick up. The world's media await the police
at 21.00. The police agree to give the TYC four more days to Day
50.
Eu responds to hunger strike a delegation of Eu ambassadors in
Beijing will visit Tibet, 1-10 may.
Republic of Poland writes to hunger strikers, &laqno; we the polish
people and the government of my country are conscious of the fact
that human, political and social rights of the tibetan people
are constantly violated. » Ambassador appeals to strikers
to stop before it is too late.
Day 48 26.4.98
12.10 the police break their agreement with the TYC and wait until
the media and the western supporters have left the site. They
take three of the strikers by brutal force, dragging Dawa Gyalpo,
Yungdrung Tsering and Karma Sichoe from the tent. Karma is thrown
into the van and ends up in intensive care.
200 nuns who are praying nearby rush to the aid of the remaining
three strikers, surround the tent and chant and protect them from
removal at this time.
Statement from Dawa Tsering in hospital... &laqno; We were forcibly
dragged from the tent after they had arrested all the TYC members.
This had made it very easy for them to take us away from the tent
since there was no TYC member left. When they dragged me I tried
to shout but could not because of being very weak. This is how
they had planned everything to come in the middle of the night
when the world is sleeping. You know that we were forcibly taken
from the hunger strike when we had reached the peak so if the
UN does not respond positively to the demands we have put forward,
three of our compatriots who are still in the tent will carry
on this mission. »
Day 49 27.4.98
The indian police arrive at 06.00. to take the remaining three
strikers, 60 year old activist Thupten Ngodup set himself on fire.
Footage of this act of self immolation makes front page news world
wide, it is seen by over 70 million viewers in over 40 countries,
via Reuters, WTN, BBC, CNN...
5 new strikers take their place, Thupten being the sixth
Day 50 28.4.98
HH. Dalai Lama visits the six hunger strikers and Thupten Ngodup
in hospital. He is mobbed by the media as he attempts to leave.
Thupten Ngodup's last words are, &laqno; may all beings live in
peace, long live the Dalai Lama, may Tibet soon be free.»
Day 51 29.4.98
Thupten Ngodup dies at 12.05
His body is taken to tibetan refugee camp in Delhi, Majnu-Ka-Tilla,
tibetans pay respect to Thupten Ngodup
Day 52 30.4.98
Body of Thupten Ngodup arrives in McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala as thousands
of tibetans pay homage the body makes its way to HH Dalai Lama's
temple. Silence is observed followed by singing of the tibetan
national anthem and prayers. President TYC tells those gathered
they must be prepared to sacrifice even our lives...
Day 53 1.5.98
More than 7,000 tibetans attend the cremation of Thupten Norbu
Buddhist chants turn into UNO we want justice as a mass demonstration
follows in the town centre. One young tibetan carves Free Tibet
onto his chest.
© tous droits réservés Mélanie Portet-Le Doze-Maitrise d'Ethnologie98 Université Paris-8 Saint-Denis (FR) Contact Mélanie