Tibetans in India condemn Chinese death sentence for riots

Dharamshala/New Delhi, Apr 16 (ANI): Tibetans refugees living in India came out strongly against death sentences awarded to two Tibetans for their alleged role in the spate of riots that rocked Lhasa in 2008.

To express their solidarity with the convicted fellow Tibetans, the office bearers of the Students for Free Tibet (SFT) addressed a press conference here on Wednesday.

Members of the SFT have submitted a petition urging the Chinese Government to stop the execution and also the ill treatment being meted out to the Tibetan prisoners in Lhasa.

At the press conference, Tenzin Cheoying, President, SFT read out the contents of the petition.

"We appeal to your esteem office to give urgent attention to the cases of Lobsang Gyalsten and Loyak - sentenced to death, Tenzin Phuntsok and Kangtsuk - sentenced to death with two year suspension and Dawa Sangpo sentenced to life imprisonment given by Lhasa People's Intermediate Court on April 8," said Tenzin Cheoying.

"We do not believe that these trials were conducted according to the international judicial standards. We the Minister of Justice Wu Aiying to review all four death sentences with immediate effect and allow these cases to be impartially investigated with further trials to be conducted openly and with due regard to international legal standards," added Tenzin Cheoying.

Further, he said that the recent verdict passed by Lhasa People's Intermediate Court is a blatant attempt to stop the Tibetans from speaking against the Chinese's regime.

He also appealed to the Chinese Minister of Justice to provide the names and whereabouts of thousands of Tibetans still detained for their suspected role in the last year's event.

"We also demand that all cases related to the events of March and April 2008 are suspended until a full and independent enquiry into events around these states is held. And a full list of names and whereabouts of the 1200 and more Tibetans still detained in relations to the last year's event," added Tenzin Cheoying.

He mentioned that through this petition, the Tibetans in-exile want to implore upon the Chinese Government to stop the execution. He also appealed to the international community to put pressure on China.

Meanwhile, Tibetans residing in New Delhi also staged a peaceful protest rally.

Carrying Tibetan flags and shouting 'Free Tibet' slogans, the protesters marched through the streets to condemn the death sentence pronounced by the Chinese administration.

"We have staged this peaceful protest at Janta Mantar because four Tibetans were given death sentence in China. The Chinese Government passed down four death sentences, one life imprisonment. Two was immediate death sentence and two death sentences in within two years time," said Kunchok, member, Tibetan Youth Congress, New Delhi.

Earlier, China's official Xinhua news agency had confirmed that two Tibetans have been sentenced to death for their role in riots in Tibet's regional capital of Lhasa last year.

They were found guilty of 'igniting fatal fires' during the riots. (ANI)