The Secret Tibet (The Forbidden world)

Dharanshala: 17th May 2008. People's Republic of China's policy dealings with the recent two incidents of widespread Tibetan protests and the devastating earthquake in neighbouring Sichuan province is fundamentally distinct.

The catastrophic earthquake that struck Sichuan drew immediate attention of the highest echelons of the Communist Party government with both Premier Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao visiting the affected areas. Efforts are underway on a war footing, with hundreds and thousands of troops deployed, to save more lives. On the contrary, in Tibet, hundreds of Tibetans have lost their lives as a result of the government crackdown on Tibetan protesters and more than five thousand have been arrested who continue to suffer daily hardships and torture at the hands of the Chinese authorities.

Similarly, the information about the quake was disseminated without any government restriction and foreign journalists and reporters were allowed to report freely from the quake affected areas, showing great openness. Whereas in Tibet, following the peaceful protests, it was only the state-sponsored Chinese media that one-sidedly reported about the incidents. Independent foreign reporters were not only barred from entering the troubled region, but those who were already in Tibet like few of them from Hong Kong and other countries as well as some foreign tourists, were also flatly told to leave.

To help them in rescue efforts, China has politely accepted assistance from the outside world, including Japan and USA, who have sent their professionals and experts to assist and advice the Chinese authorities on rescue and relief efforts. Hundreds of doctors and paramedics have been assigned to the disaster-stricken areas to attend to the injured. Unfortunately, in Tibet, despite reports of hundreds being killed and thousands injured in the aftermath of Chinese crackdown of peaceful Tibetan protesters, no independent international organization have been allowed to undertake investigations into the incidents and the injured Tibetans have not received timely and proper medical aid until today.

Central Tibetan Administration and all Tibetan people in exile convey their heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of Sichuan earthquake and stands in solidarity with the Chinese people in this hour of grief and sadness. Special prayers in memory of those killed and injured are being held. We have also instructed all Tibetans to put off all protests in front of PRC Embassies until May end.