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Tibetans and Japanese Supporters Highlight Human Rights Situation in Tibet
Saturday, 5 December 2009, 9:15 a.m.
Tokyo: Tibetan and Japanese supporters participated in a peace rally on Saturday to draw the world's attention to deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet. The participants passed through the busy Shinjuku street carrying colourful Tibetan and Japanese flags and placards. Tibet Koryukai, a Tibet support group and the Tibetan community in Japan jointly organised the event. Leaflets on Tibet issue were distributed to the passer by, many clapped and nodded in support and agreement.
The participants gathered at Shinjuku Kashiwagi Park from where the march started. Ms. Asano, the Representative of Tibet Koryukai said that the purpose of the gathering and the march was to draw the attention of the world to the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet. Mr. Kalsang, the chairman of Tibetan community in Japan appealed for the Japanese people's support in highlighting the human rights violation and repression in Tibet.
Joint Secretary of Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mr. Tsewang Gyalpo Arya read the message of the Office, in which the Representative Lhakpa Tshoko has thanked the organisers for their effort in making the Tibet issue heard on this year's Human Rights Day. It also highlighted the grave and fearful situation in which the Tibetans are living under Chinese regime, and dwelt on the recent execution of four innocent Tibetans without any fair trial.
Mr. Tsewang thanked the participants for their sincere support to Tibetan cause. He mentioned that Japanese government's position on human rights issue as reflected in its website is very generous, in which it is mentioned that human rights violation in any country cannot be construed as internal affairs, violators must abide by the international norms. In this connection, he urged Mr. Ozawa, the general secretary of the ruling parties who is visiting China next week with the entourages of six hundred officials comprising Members of Parliaments and officials to put this human rights principle in practice by urging the Chinese leaders to resolve the Tibet issue.
Mr. Makino Seishu, Member of Parliament and Chairman of Japanese Parliamentarian Group for Tibet has sent his message in support of Tibet issue and thanked the organisers for their effort in making the Tibet issue alive.
The participants were mostly from Tokyo area, but there are people who came from neighbouring states, some as far as from Nagoya area for the event. In all there were more than hundred Japanese and Tibetan. One of the major Japanese dailies and a few local reporters covered the event. The participants expressed great satisfaction in being able to participate in the event and promised full support to the Tibet cause.
The event is part of this year's Human Rights Day.
--Report filed by Tsewang Gyalpo Arya, Office of Tibet, Japan
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