Exiled Tibetans call on China to release Tibetan political prisoners

New Delhi, Dec 31 (ANI): Tibetans-in-exile in India held a protest march here today against China's suppression of Tibetan nationals in Nyagchuka County in Tibet.

The protest march was held under the banner of the Tibetan Youth Congress, a worldwide organisation representing Tibetans-in-exile.

Carrying Tibetan flags and shouting slogans, Tibetan youth, monks and nuns demanded that Beijing release Tulku Tenzin Delek, a revered spiritual figure in eastern Tibet, and other political prisoners.

"We have gathered here to condemn the Chinese Government's suppression over the peaceful demonstration inside the Nyagchuka County in Tibet, for the release of Tulku Tenzin Delek. Despite the sincere petitions to the Chinese government, the Chinese government has turned deaf ear to the sincere and legitimate call. We call upon the Chinese government to respond to the sincere appeal of the people of Nyagchuka County, and we also want to appeal to the United Nations to fulfil their assurance that they gave to Tibetan Youth Congress in 2004 in hunger strike for the release of Tulku Tenzin Delek," said Chultim Dorjee, Information Secretary of Tibetan Youth Congress.

Despite the petitions of local Tibetans demanding the release of Delek and all arrested Tibetans, Chinese officials have neglected the grievances of Tibetans.

"We are demanding the release of political prisoners, Tulku Tenzin Delek and other nuns, who were taken in the jail for unknown reasons.... and nothing is known so far and they have been kept in brutal conditions in the Chinese jails," said Sonam, a Tibetan youth.

Chinese authorities arrested seven Tibetan protestors on December 5 after their failed to meet Tulku Tenzin Delek at the Chengdu city jail in Nyagchuka County.

Chinese authorities had arrested Tulku Tenzin Delek and subsequently awarded a suspended death sentence to Delek in December 2002. However, a worldwide movement launched by Tibetans and Human Rights groups forced the Chinese authorities to commute his death sentence to life imprisonment on January 26, 2005. (ANI)